Lena Dunham has set her sights on a new venture, diving into the widely publicized collapse of FTX with an upcoming film. Marking her collaboration with A24 and Apple, Dunham is in the early stages of transforming Michael Lewis’ bestseller, Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon, into a screenplay. As fans anticipate what some are sarcastically touting as the movie 2024 deserves, the film promises to blend drama and the intrigue of a financial scandal that captivated the world.
The Film’s Subject
Sam Bankman-Fried, once the darling of the cryptocurrency world and subsequent convict, serves as the larger-than-life focus of Lewis’ book and Dunham’s adaptation. Bankman-Fried founded FTX, a powerhouse among cryptocurrency exchanges, which faced a spectacular fall from grace in 2022. Allegations of misreported finances led to his conviction on charges of fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering, culminating in a 25-year prison sentence in 2024.
Lewis’ Going Infinite delves deep into the duality of Bankman-Fried’s existence—once the eccentric young billionaire in cargo shorts, surrounded by powerful admirers, now a cautionary tale in the volatile world of cryptocurrency. The book promises readers an engaging mix of personal insight and an intense financial narrative, providing a glimpse into high-frequency trading and crypto’s chaotic underbelly.
Hollywood’s New Crypto Obsession
Dunham’s project is one of several inspired by the whirlwind of the crypto market’s recent tribulations. According to Variety, Hwang Dong-hyuk, creator of the globally successful Squid Game, revealed his plans for a second season exploring the perils of crypto investments. Meanwhile, an FTX series helmed by the Russo Brothers was announced by Amazon in 2022, though updates on its progress remain elusive. Additionally, Variety mentioned another streaming service is in pre-production for a limited series with a celebrated Emmy awardee eyed for the role of Bankman-Fried.
Closing Credits
Lena Dunham’s venture into the turbulent waters of crypto with A24 and Apple underscores Hollywood’s growing fascination with narrating real-world financial debacles. As filmmakers race to capture the ongoing saga of cryptocurrency’s volatile impact, audiences can expect a flurry of stories spotlighting the latest real-world drama. Whether Dunham’s film, the new Squid Game season, or any forthcoming series will become the definitive narrative of Bankman-Fried’s rise and fall remains to be seen. Given crypto’s inherent unpredictability, these stories are likely just the beginning. Stay tuned for further details as Hollywood’s crypto bubble continues to expand.
