IN THE WORKS: Fernando Meirelles To Direct Aristotle Onassis Biopic ‘Nemesis’

As his new film “360” earns mixed reviews on the fest circuit in advance of its August 3 opening via Magnolia, Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles (“City of God,” “The Constant Gardener”) is moving forward with a more commercial project set to start filming in Croatia this October. “Nemesis” is a biopic of Aristotle Onassis, the Greek tycoon and second husband of Jackie Kennedy. Casting is underway, though no names have been attached yet.

Based on the book by Brit author Peter Adams and adapted for the screen by Meirelles’ “City of God” writer (and Oscar nominee) Braulio Mantovani, “Nemesis” will follow the life of Onassis from his poverty-stricken upbringing to his colossal rise and dominance of the world’s merchant marine industry. It has the juicy stuff (his affair with opera singer Maria Callas, and marriage to Jackie O.) and the sad (his son and heir Alexander Onassis’ airplane death, which left him hearbroken).

For locations, Croatia will double for Greece, Budapest for Buenos Aires, and London (!) will be disguised as New York.

Pathe UK will produce the film, which has a reported budget of $30 million.