Harvey Weinstein Is in Talks Over Memoir, Source Says

Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of Miramax Films and one of Hollywood’s most controversial figures, is negotiating with publishers to write a memoir with his brother, Bob.

HarperCollins, which is owned by News Corp., is the front-runner to publish the book, a publishing source familiar with the talks said Wednesday.

Miramax declined to comment.

Harvey Weinstein, however, has spoken in recent years about his interest in writing a book. Weinstein has said he would donate all proceeds to a variety of charities.

The Weinstein brothers have built Miramax and sister studio Dimension Films into a show-business force.

Although Miramax was not nominated for a best picture Oscar in last month’s Academy Awards ceremony, it has dominated previous years with such films as “The English Patient” and “Chicago.”

Burbank based-Walt Disney Co. purchased the formerly independent company in 1993 for about $75 million.

Miramax has its own books division, with titles that include “Leadership” by former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani.

Harvey Weinstein has been the subject of much recent negative publicity.

An unflattering profile in the New Yorker was followed by the Peter Biskind book “Down and Dirty Pictures: Miramax, Sundance, and the Rise of Independent Film.”

-- John Horn