Carolyn Jessop has become a familiar face on many a news channel and the talk show circuit, with the eerily timely release of her memoir “Escape” in fall 2007, which chronicles her life growing up (and leaving) the FLDS Church–the very same sect whose YFZ ranch (run by the now infamous Warren Jeffs) was raided by Texas law enforcement officials in early April and has been a constant in the news ever since.
Now a movie is planned on Jessop’s life starring the beautiful Katherine Heigl–herself a lapsed Mormon. Heigl also plans on producing the film.
Variety reports:
“Katherine Heigl will star in and produce the feature film adaptation of ‘Escape,’ the bestselling memoir of Carolyn Jessop, whose testimony helped convict polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs. Relevant Entertainment and Como Court Prods. acquired the book. Michael Menchel and Cat Williams will produce with Heigl and her Abishag partner Nancy Heigl. Jessop was born into the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints sect. At 18 she married a man 32 years her senior; at 35, she fled with her eight children.”
I am a great admirer of Heigl, especially after her critical comments to Vanity Fair about starring in “Knocked Up”–which she called sexist–and how the vulgar humor and treatment of women made her uncomfortable on the set. It was refreshing to see an actress be so honest, especially about a project that launched her into the spotlight. I am hoping she can treat this new project with the sensitivity it requires.