Paul Vicknair & Chris Shafer To Direct ‘The 9,009 Lives Of A Cocaine God,’ Adaptation Of Carlos Vieira Memoir For Objectively Good Media

EXCLUSIVE: Objectively Good Media has secured exclusive film rights to Carlos Vieira‘s memoir Knockin’ Doorz Down, enlisting Chris Shafer and Paul Vicknair (Before We Go) to mount an adaptation, titled The 9,009 Lives of a Cocaine God, from their own script.

Based on a true story, The 9,009 Lives examines the devastating impact of addiction on families. Delving deep into the complexity of addiction, recovery, and redemption, the film will offer a raw exploration from the perspective of Vieira’s journey torn between his love for his family and the relentless pull of his addiction. The writer is depicted living out different versions of his life, each more harrowing than the last, until he begins to understand that the only way to break the cycle is to find the strength to love himself.

Vieira is the founder of The Carlos Vieira Foundation, a charitable organization that focuses on the following three campaigns: Race for Autism, Race 2B Drug-Free, and Race to End the Stigma. Through local support, CVF is able to assist youth across 21 counties within California’s central valley. Vieira will produce the adaptation of his memoir alongside OGM’s Matthew Cooper, as well as Andy Daddario.

Stated Vieira, “I wrote Knockin Doorz Down with the hope that it would help those overcome their struggles with drug addiction. Expanding that net from the written to visual world is a humbling task, but partnering with these directors and producers to do so is the first key step towards our shared goal. I’m looking forward to more voices joining those already assembled to help others in need through storytelling.”

Sharing that he’s “personally drawn to stories centered around addiction,” OGM’s Cooper observed, “Carlos’ journey is a remarkable testament to the power of redemption and forgiveness. It’s an honor to be trusted in adapting this unique book into a film.”

Recently working ion Apple and Skydance’s Way of The Warrior Kid, starring Chris Pratt, Shafer and Vicknair are currently writing on their Shel Silverstein biopic for Wonderland Sound and Vision. Previously, the duo was a part of Netflix’s Family Switch starring Jennifer Garner and Ed Helms, also working on Naruto for Lionsgate and Masters of the Universe when it was set up at Sony. The pair were among the writers on the Chris Evans-helmed rom-com Before We Go and are also known for their Black List script A Many Splintered Thing.

Founded just last year, Objectively Good Media is coming off of production on Damned If You Do, a dark comedy following a group of teenage friends who have sold their souls to the devil. Kate Siegel and Harvey Guillén are among those set to star in the flick, marking the directorial debut of Jake Rubin and Evan Metzold. Recently, the company also announced Seventy-Two, an authorized biopic on actor, comedian and TV presenter Steve Harvey to be produced alongside East 112.

Shafer and Vicknair are represented by WME and Ziffren Brittenham.