Matthew Rhys Pushes for Netflix Adaptation of The Power Broker, Rights Talks Underway

Actor Matthew Rhys is campaigning to star in a screen adaptation of the legendary biography The Power Broker. He revealed the project is being pitched to Netflix. The news came during an interview on Conan O’Brien’s podcast this week.Rhys expressed his passion for playing the controversial urban planner Robert Moses. However, securing the rights from publishers remains a key hurdle. According to Rhys, the streaming giant is interested but must first navigate a rights “stalemate.”

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Matthew Rhys shared details on Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend. He confirmed a group has approached a major streaming platform. That platform is Netflix, often nicknamed “the Flix called Net.”The actor stated Netflix wants to acquire the rights to Robert Caro’s book. The holdup lies with publishing houses and agencies, not the author himself. Caro, a revered journalist, has reportedly no issue with handing over the rights.This stalemate delays a potential film or series. The project aims to explore Moses’s staggering ascent and impact. His story reshaped New York City through bridges, parks, and highways.

Why The Power Broker Remains a Coveted Property

The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York won the Pulitzer Prize in 1975. It is a landmark work of biography and urban history. The book remains astonishingly popular fifty years after its release.Robert Caro recently noted it sold 40,000 copies in 2024 alone. That figure highlights its enduring relevance. The scale of Moses’s life and work offers rich material for adaptation.Conan O’Brien, a noted Caro enthusiast, endorsed Rhys for the role. He pledged to use his influence with the author to help the project. An adaptation would introduce Moses’s complex legacy to a massive new audience.

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The potential Matthew Rhys Netflix project hinges on resolving complex publishing rights. If successful, it could bring one of the 20th century’s most influential figures to screens worldwide.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: What did Matthew Rhys reveal about The Power Broker?

Matthew Rhys revealed he wants to play Robert Moses in an adaptation. He said Netflix is interested in the project. However, talks are currently stalled over publishing rights.

Q2: Is Robert Caro blocking the adaptation?

No, author Robert Caro is not blocking the project. According to Rhys, Caro does not have an issue with the rights. The delay involves the publishing houses and agencies that control the book’s adaptation rights.

Q3: How popular is The Power Broker book today?

The book remains incredibly popular. It is in its 74th printing. Author Robert Caro reported it sold 40,000 copies in the year 2024 alone.

Q4: Who was Robert Moses?

Robert Moses was a powerful New York urban planner. He shaped the city’s infrastructure for decades. His projects included numerous parks, bridges, and highway systems, often with controversial social costs.

Q5: What format would the Netflix project take?

The exact format is not yet confirmed. It could be a film, a miniseries, or a full series. The epic length and depth of the source material could suit a multi-part adaptation.