It’s a heart-wrenching story that touched every Australian, and now it’s set for the international big screen.
Since their son’s disappearance in 2003, Bruce and Denise Morcombe have worked tirelessly to promote child safety, telling Daniel’s story in the hopes they can prevent other families from having to go through the same heartbreak.
Today the couple have announced that the story behind Daniel’s disappearance and murder is being taken to the big screen in the form of a feature film.
The Morcombes have signed a deal with Australian producer Rod Hopping from Heritage Films after talks that have lasted more than a year.
“We believe that some of the roles that will be on offer will draw in some of Australia’s best recognised international talent,” Hopping said.
“Our goal is also to be able to take this story globally.”
Read more: Keeping our children safe. That must be Daniel Morcombe’s legacy.
The film will be directed by Australian Peter Cousens, whose latest film Freedom stars Cuba Gooding Jr.
Cousens said the film, to be called Where Is Daniel?, will pry open the story for the world to see, exposing the details behind the young boys abduction and the murder investigation that eventually led police to the killer.
“It is impossible not to see this story in the context of the forces of good and evil, which makes it ideal for cinematic treatment,” he said.
Daniel’s father, Bruce Morcombe, said he and Denise were happy that they found a director they could trust to tell their son’s story with integrity.
“We have found a production company and director we trust and with whom we have a great connection,’’ he said.
“We believe in their hands the world will discover our story and the legacy of Daniel from the unique perspective of a feature film.”
Daniel was abducted while waiting for a bus in the Woombye district of the Sunshine Coast on December 7, 2003. In August 2011 his remains were found but it was not until last year that his killer, Brett Peter Cowan, was convicted of his murder.
Read more about his trial here: RIP Daniel Morcombe. Your parents fought for you every day of your life… and beyond.
Since that time, Cowan has appealed against the conviction. The Morcombes are expecting a ruling on the appeal to be handed down soon.
Production and casting for Where Is Daniel? will take place once a script has been developed. The film is slated for release in 2016.
Top Comments
Guessing the narrative will follow Daniel's parents on their heartbreaking quest to find their boy... intertwined with a sub-plot of the police investigation to catch his killer. Could easily see this ending up as a TV movie...
I lived just 10 minutes down the road from that bridge, it shocked the community (and the nation) to its core, I blubbered like a baby every time I read about his case over the years. I know schoolmates of daniels that still see counselors over his disappearance.. is this really the right move? Don't get me wrong, I adore the work that Denise and Bruce do throughout the schools but I don't feel comfortable supporting this. Sorry.
I too lived close to where Daniel was taken and found. I'm with you on this. I would not, could not watch a movie about Daniel's abduction, death and search for him. I don't see why one would be made.
I have cried many tears from Daniel. I cant imagine how terrified he must have been through such a brutal ordeal. I couldn't bring myself to watch something like this I find it to distressing.
I see where you're coming from. The idea makes me a little uncomfortable too.
I do think though that while you might not watch the movie you should consider what they're doing from their point of view.
So much of what they've done has been for the greater good. They have made this story as public as possible in order to foster awareness, to help people understand what happened and to help make children safer.
I don't think this is about dragging up other people's sad feelings, it's about the greater good and that more people knowing the story might help more children be safe.
And even though you might not personally support it, I think that as a country we have shared so much of their hope and sadness and grief that perhaps this is a way to help the healing process for everyone. I don't think I'd be able to watch the movie but I can see why people would.
What happened to Daniel, and the soft laws that allowed his killer to walk our streets for so long before he took Daniels life should never be forgotten. This will help to ensure that.
Beautifully put.