Filmstalker: World Trade Center Janitor movie?

There just might be another "last man out of the World Trade Center" movie, but this one will be about the heroics of a janitor who helped Firefighters save hundreds of lives.

William Rodriguez had the only master key to the complex during the attack. He was responsible for cleaning the North Tower stairs and after the attack he led Firefighters up the stairs unlocking all the doors as he went, but at the 39th floor the second plane hit and he had to evacuate.

However the story, from The NY Post, isn't all heroic. Afterwards Rodriguez launched a lawsuit against the Government alleging that the attacks were a conspiracy orchestrated by George Bush. That was dismissed earlier this year and the tale is to go ahead as a straight tale of heroism rather than mention any conspiracies.

Rodriguez has apparently been talking to Charlie Sheen and Esai Morales about bringing the story to the big screen...

"Charlie told me, 'I'd be honored to turn your story into a movie,' " Rodriguez said.

Well that could be a passing comment, but regardless, what do you think? Is this a tale worthy of the big screen? Should it battle with the other films about the rescue teams and those onboard the planes?

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Here's where my train of thought went: Charlie Sheen...Spin City...Hot Shots...World Trade Centre Part Deux!

Um.

Sheen's a fine actor, but his reputation for comedy may work against him if he chooses to work on a touchy subject like that. Kudos to him if he tries, though.

Posted by: Martin Sutherland | August 29, 2006 11:24 AM

I don't think you're going to like what I have to say, but I'm going to say it anyway. :p

If Oliver Stone can't deliver a "hit" with his take on WTC, then no other film can. People don't want another 9/11 rescue film, because the "aura" and "mystique" of seeing it on film is gone. Wait 2 or 3 years and I'll be saying the same thing about Katrina movies, though those movies will be more of a shit-storm.

Posted by: Dave | August 29, 2006 1:44 PM

It doesn´t need to be a hit as far as it´s good. We need distance to know. We shouldn´t forget best movies about Vietnam were made 20 years after the war ended.

So far, United 93 and WTC are nice takes, but what happened that day gives for many, many more!

Posted by: Peter | August 29, 2006 5:15 PM

Yeah but can you name one Vietnam movie that was uplifting and inspring in a Neo-Con "You're either with us or against us" type way? I'm not going to get an argument on a UK-based movie blog on this stuff, but 9/11 was the greatest tool ever used to splinter the United States in two. You can cite the Civil War as being the bloodiest war ever to hit American soil, but the greatest empires of history crumbled from within. We won't buck that trend.

Sorry, I just don't think we need a 9/11 film to remind of us of the starting point leading to where we are right now.

Posted by: Dave | August 29, 2006 9:01 PM

Well, there was that John Wayne movie, The Green Berets, and obviously the Rambo movies. In fact, many action movies from the 80s are exactly the "with us or against us" pattern. And they were entertaining!

Concerning 9/11, I basically agree, in fact the scoop is even bigger. It has divided all Western Civilization in two.

Posted by: Peter | August 29, 2006 9:32 PM

Dave, "on a UK-based movie blog" - The site is hosted in the UK but we talk about movies from all over the world, so feel free to talk about it. Don't see what that has to do with anything anyway, Martin is Dutch, Peter is Spanish...

I actually agree with you Dave, but probably for different reasons. Peter's right when he says we need distance to know if the movies are going to be a hit, but the audience aren't ready for another movie on the same topic just when we're about to see the definitive tale on the topic.

I don't think 9/11 has divided anyone that wasn't already divided, and yes, we can discuss that on a UK site!...although it's not really films.

Posted by: Richard Brunton | August 29, 2006 10:16 PM

What does that make me? The token American? =)Anyway, the reason I said that is because, well, let's see, there's a passage in A Course of Miracles that says those who seek controversy shall find it. Perhaps that's what I was doing, and in hindsight, whether you agree with me or not, this discussion was not one to be held on a movie site. The merits of a 9/11 film cannot, IMO, be discussed without bringing the nature of reality as it plays in entertainment. I know you hate it when I do this, Richard, but I'm removing myself from this thread. :p

Posted by: Dave | August 29, 2006 11:45 PM

Nah, there's plenty of you folks lurking about. The UK part doesn't matter, in fact since I've read the commission report I'm probably better informed than some.

However the movie part does, as long as it doesn't descend into pure politics and remains connected to the issue I'm happy.

Posted by: Richard Brunton | August 30, 2006 6:51 AM

[Tangent]
It really is pathetic how one site keeps grabbing my articles and just won't source me. So pathetic and petty I cannot believe...Please grow up won't you and grow a pair.
[EndTangent]

Posted by: Richard Brunton | August 30, 2006 8:07 PM

Am I thinking of the same movie site Rich?

Oooppps.

Posted by: Simone | August 30, 2006 9:13 PM