A forthcoming crime movie featuring Mark Wahlberg dives into the captivating tale of a notorious Mafioso hitman. ‘By Any Means,’ directed by Elegance Bratton, examines the life and times of Gregory Scarpa, a long-term operative for the Colombo Mafia family.
The film is set in 1966’s Mississippi, where it unveils an unusual collaboration between the FBI and Scarpa, considered one of the most dangerous Mafia hitmen ever. The narrative forms around Scarpa’s work with an African-American agent to unravel the mystery of the assassination of the civil rights advocate, Vernon Dahmer.
Intricately, the story presents how Scarpa, recruited casually by J. Edgar Hoover’s bureau, partners with the law agent in hunting down the culprits behind not only Dahmer’s murder but also the homicides of several other civil rights leaders. They traverse a treacherous alliance of law enforcement, sinister Mafia activities, and the pursuit of justice.
Gregory Scarpa entered the world on May 28, 1928, in Brooklyn. His affiliation with the notorious Colombo crime family supposedly began in the 1950s, indicating a lifelong attraction to the criminal underworld.
Scarpa’s engagement with the FBI started with an event on March 20, 1962. He was nabbed outside New York on charges of an armed stickup. Yet, in a twist of fate, he ended up turning informant for the bureau, a role he maintained for several years.
A tragic event on January 10, 1966; an arson attack on the house of Vernon Dahmer led to his death. Dahmer was a notable figure, serving as the president of the Forrest County chapter of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People).
Post this gruesome incident, Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach committed to bringing the perpetrators to justice. To do so, he pulled together all resources from the Department of Justice. In response to this commitment, the FBI placed a ‘special assignment’ request for Scarpa on January 21.
Lawrence Byrd, prominent Klan member and proprietor of Byrd’s Radio & TV Service in Laurel, Mississippi, was among the key suspects. In late January, an extraordinary episode unfolded: Scarpa, alongside an agent, collected Byrd from his business, proceeding to a military base located in Mississippi’s marshlands.
What occurred next is dramatic yet shocking. Scarpa allegedly forced the truth from Byrd at this secluded location, feeding into his infamous reputation.
The film script is an original work by Sascha Penn and Theodore Witcher, inspired from these true events. Elegance Bratton, however, provided the necessary revisions to the screenplay that form the basis of the current narrative.
The project has Mark Wahlberg sharing the screen with Sterling K. Brown, who lends his talent to this enthralling real-life drama. Wahlberg’s performance is highly anticipated given the riveting storyline and strong historic context.
Preparations are underway, with the movie set to begin its shooting schedule in March 2025. The film promises to deliver a gripping narrative that unravels an unusual alliance and chilling mysteries.
As audiences eagerly anticipate the release, it’s expected to offer a profound exploration of the blurred lines between criminal underworld, law enforcement and deeply rooted societal struggles.