Mandatory Credit: Photo by Barry Gomer / Rex Features (1266614k) Map of Dartmoor Zoological Park Dartmoor Zoological Park, Dartmoor, Devon, Britain - Dec 2010 A family run zoo in Devon has become the unlikely inspiration for a Hollywood movie. The new film, which will star Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson, will tell the story of Ben Mee and his family, who bought a run-down zoo despite having no experience of animals and only limited funds. Former newspaper DIY columnist Ben, his brother Duncan and their mother Amelia purchased the zoo in August 2006 for GBP 1.1m. Formerly known as Dartmoor Wildlife Park, the park was opened in 1968 but was forced to close in April 2006. After buying the zoo Ben, his wife Katherine and their children Milo, six, and Ella, four, moved into the decaying mansion that occupies the park. They were joined by co-owners Amelia, 76, and Duncan, 47, and found themselves the proud owners of 200 animals. After a major refurbishment project, which was detailed in Ben's subsequent book 'We Bought a Zoo', the family re-opened the zoo for business in July 2007.