Director William Friedkin, best known for thrills ("The French Connection") and chills ("The Exorcist"), gets nostalgic: He'll helm a biopic about the legendary songwriting duo of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, whose tunes were recorded by everyone from Elvis ("Hound Dog") to Peggy Lee ("Is That All There Is?").
Friedkin is co-writing with chum Leiber, according to Nelson Ent. production chief Rich Finkelstein, who said the film will chronicle the songwriters' early years. Shooting is expected later this year.
