New Year's Update, January 1, 2011

It's been said that "luck" is when preparation meets opportunity. I don't believe in luck, but I do believe in preparations. After thousands of hours of work and preparations, I'm convinced 2011 will see new things begin to take shape in a way they haven't in the past. As of today, this is where things stand:

• The "Wounded Tiger" film project: I have ten or so people who are very interested in funding the project in one way or another, all of whom have the ability to bring a large amount of funding into the film, but none of whom have done so as of yet. One Hollywood studio offered to purchase the film script for a figure in the high sixes, but I wasn't interested as I would lose all ability to protect the integrity of the story. Some want to see the book in print first, which is understandable. And one group believes they will be able to assemble significant funding in the next month or so. We'll see ...
• The "Wounded Tiger" book: The manuscript is complete and I continue to receive helpful critiques (some even from Japan!) and make minor edits as I consider the best way to approach the right publishing companies - those with the vision and horsepower to do with the book what needs to be done. I also have ideas to convert the story into a graphic novel. Some very experienced people have offered to help me make connections and I'm grateful for how things are developing.

When I have solid news on either project that I'm allowed to disclose, I'll post it here. Until then, may each of you have a wonderful and productive 2011!

- Martin

Below photo: Me at the Yasukuni War Museum, Tokyo.

"Wounded Tiger" book is now complete.

The novelization of the screenplay into book form is complete and I'm seeking the right publisher.

Here are the first five chapters of "Wounded Tiger."  

First draft of "Wounded Tiger" book complete.

As of this week, after 3 1/2 years of work on the film script and another 18 months on just the book, the novelization of the story "Wounded Tiger" is now complete. That said, the manuscript will go into a phase of editing and polishing for about eight weeks, then onto the quest to find the right publisher.

On an earlier entry (below) you can download the first five chapters if you're interested.

Regarding raising funds for the film project, many of you know that if I were to sell the film script to a studio, I would then lose all ability to protect the integrity of the story, which I don't believe would be in the best interest of the film, so I have been in a process of cultivating those with an interest in this film project who also have the capacity to bring a substantial amount of capital into Hungry Kitty, LLC. As of now, there are six investors/investment houses/brokers who have expressed a keen interest in the project, all of whom can bring enough capital to ensure that I (Hungry Kitty, LLC) would retain creative control of the film. That's about as much as I can say on that front. Any news in this area will be posted here, so save the link if you'd like to stay informed, or "friend" me in Facebook.

That's it.

First Draft of Script Translated into Japanese is Complete.

This was completed a few months ago and is in review. Two significant investment firms are looking into full funding of the film. More to be announced when a deal is in place ...

The first 92 pages of the script have been translated into Japanese and are being submitted to others for critique. This is an important step as it will help ensure both accuracy and allow native Japanese to read the script and point out any weaknesses or errors in the script. We will also be able to bring the script to potential Japanese investors.

"Wounded Tiger"

「手負いの虎」

The war hero whose life was changed by a prisoner

of Japan and by a girl he never met.

The true story of Mitsuo Fuchida, the man

who led the attack on Pearl Harbor.

by

Martin Bennett

かつて日本軍の捕虜であった米兵,                                                                                                                     そして一人の米国人女性の物語りによって                                                                                                                人生が変えられた

真珠湾攻撃総隊長の真実の物語

マーティン・ベネット著

Script Being Translated into Japanese

A team of experienced translators are putting the "Wounded Tiger" film script into Japanese in order to present to potential Japanese investors for review. The work is scheduled to be complete by the end of March, 2010.

The book is about half done right now and seems to take more time than I had anticipated. There is a great deal of detail in the book not required for the film script which adds much depth to the story. When it's available, I'll let everyone know, but that's a ways away.

Working Design for the book cover.