Mr Saffron, who fancies being played by The Guardian star Simon Baker, believes there is every chance the story will be a made-in-Australia blockbuster by the end of next year.

And a movie would not preclude a TV miniseries, he said, because the success of Channel Nine's Underbelly showed people had an enormous appetite for crime stories.

He said the Saffron story was unique because it offered glitz, glamour and history as well as crime, high-level corruption, sex and sleaze.

It was also the story of how a city grew up, providing a glimpse of a fascinating but highly dysfunctional family.

"My story shows one should never give up no matter what obstacles and horrendous situations life puts forward," Mr Saffron said.

"I'd like to have a movie on the screen by the end of 2009, which is considered pretty fast. I want an Australian director, maybe Peter Weir or Bruce Beresford. I want to make this an Australian film because that's what it is."

The restaurant and office building that was once Sydney's most glamorous and notorious nightspot, the Roosevelt in Orwell Street, Potts Point, could be destined for a starring role.

Mr Saffron said like him or loathe him, his father was part of Australia's history.

"Abe Saffron is a signature name in our whole history and not just because of the crime," he said."It's because of who he was, and what he was, and the creation of the nightclub business, and the fantastic life he had.

"He did it his way, like the Frank Sinatra song. It was his way and only his way. He was ruthless. He was unforgiving. He was intolerant and he was inflexible. But he played a major role giving Sydney a nightlife and making it the city it is today."

Mr Saffron said talks were well under way with a large movie house.

An announcement would be made soon.