Douglas to film real-life tragedy

Michael Douglas is to produce and star in a fact-based film, Tragic Indifference, about a lawsuit that was filed over accidents involving some Sports Utility Vehicles.

Based on a non-fiction book to be published in November, Tragic Indifference is described as a David and Goliath story with echoes of Erin Brockovich and The Insider.

It chronicles a lawsuit brought by lawyer Tab Turner against the Ford and Firestone corporations for negligence in connection with SUV rollovers and defective tyres. Douglas will portray Turner, reports Daily Variety.

The book focuses specifically on the case of Donna Bailey, who became a quadriplegic as a result of a near-fatal accident in a Ford SUV and sought only an admission of guilt and an apology from the companies.

The role of Bailey has not yet been cast.

Douglas, who has the comedy The In-Laws awaiting release, is likely to begin work on Tragic Indifference after he and his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones star together in the racetrack drama Monkeyface, which is due to begin filming in September.