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Writer of Hit Show Says He’s in TV for the Money

Jan 16, 2012  •  Post A Comment

At least one TV writer has come clean about why he’s involved in television, and the reason is money, Deadline.com reports.

Elmore Leonard, 86, whose work is the basis for the FX hit "Justified" and who serves as an executive producer on the show, said he has always tried writing as visually as possible so that his work could be sold to Hollywood, the story reports.

”From the very beginning I’ve been in it to make money, and writing visually is the way you do it," he said. "Of course I care how it turns out. I don’t just turn something in. But any writer is a fool if he doesn’t write for money."

Leonard has been remarkably successful in achieving his goal. More than two dozen of his novels have been made into movies or TV shows. One of the best movies based on a Leonard novel was the popular 1995 comedy thriller "Get Short," starring John Travolta.

Leonard said he’s satisfied with the way "Justified" has turned out, although he hasn’t always been happy with the way his work has been adapted, the piece notes.

He cited "The Big Bounce" as one project that ran into trouble. Two films were made “because it wasn’t bad enough the first time,” he quipped. “I don’t think anyone in that picture even knew what it was about.”

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