At the age of 20, Nathaniel Anthony Ayers suffered a mental breakdown and was diagnosed as schizophrenic. For 35 years he lived on the streets of Cleveland and Los Angeles.
In Los Angeles, Times writer Steve Lopez found him playing the violin near the statue of Beethoven and did a number of articles featuring Ayers.
The movie, named "The Soloist," will star Jamie Foxx and will tell the story of Ayers and the friendship he developed with Lopez.
The project has been scripted by Susannah Grant, who also wrote "Erin Brockovich." Producing the film will be Russ Krasnoff and Gary Foster. Joe Wright will be directing the movie. Who will play the role of Lopez hasn't been decided yet.
Lopez is also releasing a book in the spring of 2008 telling the story from his unique experience.
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