In June 1997, the world was left bewildered by the sudden vanishing of Gary DeVore, a renowned screenwriter responsible for movies like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “Raw Deal” and “Back Roads,” starring Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field. DeVore’s mysterious disappearance has remained unsolved, giving rise to a plethora of conspiracy theories. One popular theory suggests that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) may have played a pivotal role. As the gripping story unfolds, the eight-part podcast series, “Witnessed: Fade to Black,” presented by Campside Media and Sony Music Entertainment, in association with Stowaway Entertainment, delves into the enigma. With its season finale approaching, the series has recently come across a startling revelation – Gary’s wife, Wendy DeVore, stumbled upon more than 50 scripts and treatments penned by her late husband. Now, Wendy and Jeff Singer of Stowaway Entertainment are collaborating to resurrect these forgotten scripts, hoping to breathe new life into Gary DeVore’s creative legacy.
Among the impressive collection of scripts found by Wendy DeVore are titles like “Hurricane Chaser,” “Deadlocked,” and “Hard Rock,” also known as “Bloodshot.” However, one script stands out in particular – “Betrayals.” This compelling story follows a woman’s desperate quest to rescue her kidnapped fiancé, who happens to work for the CIA. Given Gary DeVore’s own mysterious circumstances, “Betrayals” adds an intriguing layer of relevance to his personal narrative. While action movies may have temporarily fallen out of favor following DeVore’s disappearance, the emergence of streaming platforms such as Netflix has sparked a revival of the genre. Blockbuster films like “Extraction” starring Chris Hemsworth, “The Gray Man” featuring Ryan Gosling, and “Ghosted” starring Chris Evans and Ana de Armas have breathed new life into action movies. With the resurgence of the genre, the potential for some of Gary DeVore’s scripts to find a new audience has significantly increased.
Gary DeVore’s disappearance occurred in the vast expanse of the California desert while he was returning home from a writing trip in New Mexico. An eerie last phone call to Wendy, in which he claimed to be “pumping pure adrenaline,” initiated her suspicions of foul play. This marked the beginning of a bizarre chain of events that embroiled Hollywood stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jean Claude Van Damme in a thrilling search operation. Unsurprisingly, the CIA’s presence loomed large throughout the story. British director John Irvin, known for bringing John Le Carré’s “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy” to the small screen, warned DeVore about potential dangers. Later, Chase Bradon, Tommy Lee Jones’ cousin, who previously worked for the CIA’s Clandestine Service and later became the agency’s official liaison to the entertainment industry, became intricately involved in the investigation. Bradon had previously provided consultancy services for notable films like “The Bourne Identity” and TV series like “Alias.” Furthermore, the connection to Panama added another layer of intrigue. DeVore had been working on a script titled “The Big Steal,” set during the U.S. invasion of Panama. This script had the potential to unveil profound secrets and shed light on the truth of what happened to DeVore.
Following her husband’s disappearance, Wendy DeVore, herself an actress with notable works like Ridley Scott’s “Black Rain,” decided to leave California. She frequently alternated between Hawaii and Florida, eventually putting all her possessions into storage. Years later, when the boxes were returned to her, she made the unexpected discovery of Gary’s forgotten scripts. The unearthing of these hidden treasures sparked a desire within her to bring Gary’s enduring vision to the screen, solidifying it as his remarkable legacy. Singer, who joined forces with Wendy DeVore and presented Gary’s story to Campside, expressed his interest in exploring the possibility of selling some of the scripts. While most of the scripts he found were within the action genre, Singer also came across soul-stirring dramas and an intriguing western script. He has already generated significant interest from potential buyers, demonstrating that a powerful story transcends time constraints and remains captivating across generations.
“Witnessed: Fade to Black” offers a gripping narrative encompassing the prodigious creative contributions of Gary DeVore and the perplexing events surrounding his disappearance. Hosted by Campside co-founder Josh Dean and co-created by Evan Wright, known for his acclaimed adaptations of podcasts like “Dirty John,” “Homecoming,” and “Dr. Death,” the podcast series has left audiences spellbound. Megan Donis, lead producer of the show, has produced remarkable podcasts such as “Stiffed” and “Class of 2020,” and is currently working on an upcoming series that explores the FBI’s controversial Cointelpro program’s targeting of the Black Panther Party.
The inexplicable disappearance of Gary DeVore continues to captivate, leaving unanswered questions and fueling conspiracy theories. The remarkable discovery of his forgotten scripts adds a new dimension to the tale, reigniting hope for their realization on the big screen. The podcast series “Witnessed: Fade to Black” immerses listeners in DeVore’s journey, as they traverse the web of clandestine connections and extraordinary circumstances that surround his vanishing. While the truth remains elusive, the enduring legacy of Gary DeVore lives on through his untamed imagination and the possibility of his scripts finding a second life in today’s ever-evolving entertainment industry.