Wahlberg Producing Marathon Bombings Movie Based On Ed Davis' Account
BOSTON (CBS) -- Few people were as close to the Boston Marathon bombings as the city's police commissioner at the time, Ed Davis.
In the two years since, Davis says, he's been approached about being a part of movies and books related to the events, but has always said no - until now.
"I was very hesitant to get involved in it at first," Davis told WBZ. Part of his hesitation had to do with how any entertainment-related venture would be seen by bombing survivors.
"Obviously I have been very involved with victims of this case from the time it started," he explained.
But Davis says he was really impressed with the way CBS news, and in particular their program "60 Minutes", handled their coverage of the events. So when CBS Films called Davis with a proposal, he considered it.
"Last year they approached me and asked me if they could buy my life rights," Davis said. "And quite frankly, I didn't even know what that meant."
What it means is that as soon as this autumn, filming starts on a movie, tentatively called "Patriot's Day".
Davis will be the central character in a plot that starts with the finish line bombings and ends with the arrest of the suspect hiding in a Watertown boat.
"It's an important part of the history of the city and it should be documented," Davis explained. "And I'm satisfied that this group is responsible and clearly interested in telling the story the way it happened."
"After struggling with it, I decided this was a path I wanted to take. This particular project seems to be the right thing to do right now," he said.
Davis says he is uncomfortable with the thought of being the film's main character – adding, the men and women of so many police departments really did an incredible job during the week that will be featured in the film.
Still, Davis says that decision is out of his control, but he is happy to be able to have some input into how the story gets told.
"That whole Hollywood stuff is way beyond me; I don't know what they do or how they do it," Davis said.
Dorchester's own Mark Wahlberg will produce the film and could end up playing Ed Davis himself.
His response? "I know that there's a rumor that Mark's going to do that, you know, that's Hollywood and I don't get involved in those issues."
Davis also told WBZ he is making arrangements to make a donation from the money he will make from the film to a local family intimately impacted by the bombings. But he did not want to name that family yet, since he says they are still considering his offer.
Ed Davis currently works as a security analyst for WBZ.