A feature film based on the life of Jim McIngvale, the Texas businessman best known for his philanthropy as the owner and operator of the Houston-based Gallery Furniture retail chain, is in the works from HappyBad Bungalow, Roosevelt Film Lab and Phiphen.
Mattress Mack will star Billy Magnussen (Lilo & Stitch) as McIngvale, Dianna Agron (The Chosen), Darby Lee-Stack (The Holdovers) and Rob Corddry (The Audacity). Shane Andries will direct from a screenplay he also wrote. Production is set to begin this month in Texas.
Set in the early 1980s and 2000s in Houston, the film is based on a true story about Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, a beloved Texas tycoon and retail pioneer who is best known for his generosity and community service.
Often opening his Gallery Furniture stores to shelter and feed people during natural disasters, McIngvale has helped thousands affected by multiple major hurricanes in Texas, earning recognition as a Houston hero. This past summer, McIngvale made headlines after donating 500 mattresses to survivors of the July Fourth Texas Hill Country floods, along with first responders and volunteers who helped out during the historic flood event.
Mattress Mack will follow McIngvale’s journey as he risks everything to open Gallery Furniture alongside his wife and business partner Linda, and the challenges the family faces years later when their youngest daughter battles a debilitating case of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Apparently, this has been kicking around for awhile. I did not know that. It sounds like the story will end before Mack gets way into sports betting and right-wing politics, but I guess you have to leave some material for the sequel. Perhaps a different filmmaker should helm that one. Thanks to Therese for the link.
A couple words come to mind… Heaven’s Gate, Waterworld, The Adventures of Pluto Nash, xXx: State of the Union….
Who could possibly be the intended audience for this ?
Darn, years ago my garage band wrote a song ‘Just Say No to Mattress Mack:’ “Guy comes around, he can’t hold a real job, says ‘check out this three-piece sectional recliner, the first one’s free.’ Next thing you know, you got a potato on your back.” -It never got legs.
Wonder if it will dig into his snow skiing, wheeling and dealing years?
Charly, I would have bought that 7″ single.
I just saw a news article about Mattress Mac and Pancho Claus teaming up, like they have for years, to pass out Xmas toys for kids…and the first thing I thought was, I’m surprised Mac hadn’t already called ICE on him.
TBH, haven’t that low of an opinion of him saddens me a bit.
*having