In 2014, the Atavist published a huge article by Evan Hughes titled “The Trials of White Boy Rick.” The piece told the unbelievable story of Rick Wershe, who somehow managed to join the ranks of drug lords in Detroit, before being arrested at 17. Wershe later claimed he turned into an FBI informant at age 14.
Hughes’ article was highly praised for demystifying the legendary White Boy Rick, and shedding light on the facts of a story not widely known until his reporting. Rick’s life easily lends itself to become a major motion picture, which is why Sony and Columbia Pictures made one that opens in theaters this weekend, but Hughes claims they did so using his work “without pay nor credit.”
He also noted, "Actually the story is worse than that sounds! But I'll leave it there for now." Expect more tea soon?
The Atavist reportedly brokered a deal with Universal Studios following Hughes’ story, but in 2015, Studio 8 purchased a script titled White Boy Rick, by Logan Miller and Noah Miller, independent of the original article. In the process of creating the new movie starring Matthew McConaughey, Danny Brown, YG, Brian Tyree Henry, and more, it allegedly bypassed Hughes altogether.
