Disney buys rights to 'life' sold on eBay

ISLA GILLIGLAN, Panama, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- The story of a British man living in Panama who sold all his material possessions on eBay will be turned into a Hollywood movie, he said.

Geordie Ian Usher, 47, said Walt Disney Co. has bought the rights to the story of his life, The Mirror reported Tuesday.

Usher made headlines in 2008 when he auctioned his entire life -- including possessions, house, car, job and even friends -- following a divorce.

"Disney liked the story because of the original reason for doing it -- being sideswiped by one of life's big surprises and the desire to get rid of everything and move on to something and somewhere new," he said. "To see someone do that in such a public and unusual way is, I guess, one of the reasons for Disney's choice."

Usher, who lives on Isla Gilliglan -- his own private island in Panama -- started a project he called 100 Weeks, 100 Goals in which he completes goals like bungee jumping to raise money for charity.

"I am proud to do something interesting enough to be turned into a movie," Usher told The Mirror. "I just feel proud and honored to have got this far."

The newspaper account did not include confirmation from Disney that it had acquired the rights to Usher's story.