Feature Film on SBF Set to Be on the Big Screen

Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) may be facing a potential 25-year prison sentence, yet his story continues to captivate the public as production companies gear up to depict his dramatic rise and fall.

Apple Studios and A24 are developing a feature film based on Michael Lewis's book, Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon, which debuted in October 2023, coinciding with SBF's criminal trial in New York.

The former FTX CEO, once celebrated as one of tech's youngest billionaires, saw his cryptocurrency empire crumble in 2022, leaving millions of investors locked out of accounts holding billions.

While Lewis's book delves into SBF's interest in effective altruism and its influence on his actions, some critics argue that the author downplays the severe impact on investors.

Known for The Big Short and Moneyball, Lewis examines SBF's rapid ascent, unique leadership style, and the ensuing financial catastrophe.

Lena Dunham, director and creator of HBO's Girls, is reportedly set to write the screenplay, bringing fresh insight into SBF's complex character and the high-stakes world of cryptocurrency.

Since FTX’s bankruptcy filing in late 2022, lawmakers and media have closely scrutinised its operations, with former executives like Sam Trabucco surrendering luxury assets to settle with creditors.

Everybody Wants In on a SBF Film

The meteoric rise and dramatic collapse of SBF and FTX has sparked significant interest across Hollywood, with multiple studios racing to bring this high-stakes story to the screen.

Alongside Apple and A24's planned film adaptation, Amazon and an unnamed streaming platform are reportedly working on a limited series capturing SBF's meteoric rise and abrupt downfall.

This surge in interest underscores the allure of tech scandals, mirroring the recent portrayals of figures like Elizabeth Holmes and the implosion of Theranos.

Each adaptation is likely to offer a unique perspective on FTX's trajectory and the intense world of cryptocurrency, appealing to audiences captivated by the risks and ambitions fuelling this industry.

Meanwhile, other production companies have pitched FTX-focused projects, including a reported collaboration between Fortune and Unrealistic Ideas on a film exploring SBF's tumultuous relationship with former Binance CEO Changpeng Zhao.

With these projects in development, viewers will soon have multiple lenses through which to understand the ambition, volatility, and intrigue of crypto’s most infamous chapter.

As studios race to bring this story to the screen, it raises the question: will this be the enduring legacy of SBF?