14 DAY TRIAL // “There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.” and “Outer space exists because it’s afraid to be on the same planet with Chuck Norris.” These are just two of the many Chuck Norris “facts” that are now part of the vernacular, after Gotham Books published “The Truth About Chuck Norris: 400 Facts About the World’s Greatest Human,” based on the Internet phenomenon initiated by Ian Spector. Now, the actor himself is coming out with a book of “facts” meant to set the record straight, The Observer informs.
More than a year ago, Norris took Gotham Books to court because some of the so-called “facts” included in the book portrayed him as “racist” or “otherwise engaged in illegal activities.” Now, he has come to the decision to drop the lawsuit and respond to the original book with one of his own that will also offer fans insight into his personal life and acting career. This way, Norris’ book will actually be almost identical to the original, save that it will also include a commentary for each fact, the publication informs.
“Actor/fighter Chuck Norris has signed a book deal with Illinois-based Christian publisher Tyndale House. According to acquiring editor Jonathan Farrar, Mr. Norris will work with the pastor Todd Dubord – who co-wrote his last book, ‘Black Belt Patriotism’ – on a collection of 101 autobiographical facts, which will be published in October. News of the book, which Mr. Farrar predicts will sell 100,000 copies in its first year, comes more than a year after Mr. Norris dropped [the] infringement lawsuit.” The Observer says.
According to editor Farrar, the idea for Norris’ book came from the publishing house, and a contract has already been signed. The deal is believed to be a six-figure one, estimated at around $100,000-250,000 and stipulates that the book will also be extremely funny – and then some, as Farrar explains. “The facts themselves will be humorous, but he will have basically a 250-word commentary on each fact. He talks about his movie career and different things that have happened to him in his life. He’ll take the humor as a jumping-off point.” the editor adds.
At the same time, when the book comes out in October and Chuck Norris holds signings for it, he will not agree to autograph the original facts book, Farrar also says. Gotham Books and the author are not at all concerned about this though, because the lawsuit and the ensuing controversy have done little to damage sales. Quite on the contrary, they have helped draw more attention to the original book and, now that Norris too is coming out with one, they can easily see it as “imitation, the most sincere form of flattery.”