Martin Scorsese may direct Evel Knievel film

Paramount have officially hired Oscar-winning scriptwriter William Monahan to write the screenplay for the story of stuntman and showman, Evel Knievel. And according to Deadline, Martin Scorsese may now be on board to direct the film.

Known to his family as Robert Craig Knievel, Evel became a household name in the 1970s for his ambitious motorcycle jumps. Leaping across buses and anything else he could round up, he was known for his flashy patriotic outfits and the 433 bones he broke when several stunts went wrong. But despite liver troubles, he survived to 69, dying in 2007.

The story will be based on the book Evel Knievel On Tour and Scorsese will keep track of the script as it develops, but has yet to make a firm decision.