You might remember Portlander Mike Merrill from when he “Sold His Fate to Investors at $1 a Share,” or from when he had his shareholders vote on the life decisions of a 17-year-old for three months, or from when he took over the Mercury and used it for his own nefarious purposes (that particular issue can be found here). But soon enough, you might know him for something else entirely: As that guy whose life got TURNED INTO A MOVIE.
Deadline might have the scoop—
EXCLUSIVE: Fox Searchlight has acquired “Meet The Man Who Sold His Fate To Investors At $1 A Share,” a Wired Magazine article by Joshua Davis that will be crafted into a starring and directing vehicle for Jason Bateman to play a man who found a novel commodity for a public offering: himself. It created a host of problems for the actual guy, Mike Merrill, when shareholders demanded control over life decisions like whether or not to have a vasectomy, or even whether he should move in with his longtime girlfriend (and minority shareholder). (Via.)
—but it’s the Mercury that has the EXCLUSIVE first interview with Merrill!
MERCURY: Hey, congrats on having your life TURNED INTO A MOVIE. Any reactions you’d like to get on the official Blogtown record?
MIKE MERRILL: I am incredibly flattered to be portrayed by Jason Bateman and I hope he wants to hang out and follow me around to learn about my life.
How surreal is this?
All the way. Completely. I mean, I recognize it’s good story material, but it’s not like I’m the inventor of Pringles or anything.
Will you write a review of this movie for the Mercury when it comes out?
Yes, that is exactly the sort of thing I would want me to do. Wonderful idea!
I’m not joking.
I am totally doing a review! That’s such good idea.
So there you have it: Confirmation that, yes, it’s surreal to have your life become a movie, and confirmation that yes, if and when the movie gets made, Merrill himself will review it for the Mercury. In the meantime, congrats to Merrill, who—if the capricious and cruel gods of Hollywood gaze kindly upon this endeavor—shall one day realize the dream that all of us hold dear: Having Jason Bateman play us in a major motion picture.
I do however expect to get paid for my review, because, you know, capitalism.