As the 1MDB scandal made headlines all across the world a few years ago, the Billion Dollar Whale book about the money-laundering scandal written by award-winning Wall Street Journal reporters Tom Wright and Bradley Hope, flew off the shelves in bookshops all over the world.
Due to the book’s massive popularity, it was even reported that it was set to be adapted into a movie.
Although there have not been any updates in regards to a movie, The Hollywood Reporter recently said that the book will be adapted into a TV series.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the series will be produced by House Of Cards creator Beau Willimon and his Westward producing partner Jordan Tappis. They have also teamed up with SK Global, who co-funded Crazy Rich Asians.
It was even reported that Malaysian actress Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh will also be a producer for the series.
“At Westward we are drawn to stories that reflect the complexity of the times we live in, centering on enigmatic and surprising characters,” said Willimon and Tappis in a statement.
“We’re also drawn to developing innovative ways to produce work in a quickly shifting entertainment landscape. With David Henry Hwang at the helm, and SK Global at our side, this project allows us to do both.”
SK Global’s John Penotti and Charlie Corwin said, It’s hard to overstate the cultural impact of this story in Asia and around the world.”
“It’s both a tale of financial greed and deceit, and a darkly comedic social satire.”
The book which was published in 2018 offered an inside account of Malaysia’s massive 1MDB money-laundering scandal whilst exposing links between elite wealth, banking, Hollywood, and politics.
Billion Dollar Whale became a New York Times bestseller and was even named the Financial Times 2018 Book of the Year. It has sold more than half a million copies internationally, including over one hundred thousand copies in Asia where it remains a bestseller.
It centered on the heist’s alleged mastermind, international fugitive Jho Low, and his adventures in Hollywood. The theft ranks among the biggest cases of fraud in history.
Are you looking forward to seeing it on screens? Let us know in the comments.
Also read: “We don’t know where he is” Jho Low’s Whereabouts Still Unknown Despite Red Notice From Interpol
