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| Recent Deals and Development News |
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The Adventurer’s Handbook by Mick Conefrey
A collection of true stories about the most exciting explorers in the world, this book was optioned by Jonah Hill (Superbad, The 40-Year-Old Virgin), Matt Spicer and Max Winkler. After a three-way auction for the script, the project has just been set up with Universal. The film will star Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman in a comedy in which a quartet of pals go on a global adventure, inspired by the stories in Conefrey’s book. Akiva Schaffer (Saturday Night Live, Hot Rod) is negotiating to direct. The plan is to start production later this year; Hill, Spicer and Winkler will be exec producers.
Creation: Annie's Box by Randal Keynes
In a chest of drawers bequeathed by his grandmother, author Randal Keynes discovered the writing case of Charles Darwin’s beloved daughter Annie, who died at the age of ten. In it were the notes Darwin kept through Annie’s illness. Together with his deeply moving memorial of her, they provide a key to provocative new insights into Darwin’s views on nature, evolution, and the human condition. The feature film produced by Recorded Picture Company and starring Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany is now in post-production. Jeremy Thomas produced, John Collee adapted and Jon Amiel directed. The author will be credited as a consultant. Release date to be announced.
In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant
Critically acclaimed and internationally bestselling novel about a courtesan and her companion dwarf in sixteenth Century Renaissance Italy has been optioned for feature film by two multi-award-winning producers, Donna Gigliotti (Emma, Shakespeare in Love) and Barry Weissler (Chicago). A-list screen writer Michael Cristofer (perhaps best known for his adaptation of The Witches of Eastwick) has adapted.
A Jealous Ghost by A.N. Wilson
A compellingly creepy psychological thriller - a contemporary take on The Turn of the Screw – is under option by Paramount Vantage though the production arm of Management 360. Megan Holley (Sunshine Cleaning) has adapted and Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego is attached to direct. Kirsten Dunst is attached to play the part of the unstable American nanny.
The Killing Circle by Andrew Pyper
On behalf of Anne McDermid & Associates Ltd.
This at once complex and compulsive mystery has been optioned by Cowboy Films and set up with Brilliant Films. Justin Chadwick is attached to direct and James Dormer is adapting.
King Death by Toby Litt
London set literary thriller. Quirky romantic drama, reminiscent of the best of Murakami. Option by CMP Ltd. Gerald McMorrow (Franklyn) is attached to direct with the author adapting.
Mortal Mischief and Vienna Blood by Frank Tallis
The first two novels in Frank Tallis’s brilliantly compelling historical crime series are in development at BBC Television (producer Lisa Osborne). Critically acclaimed playwright Steve Thompson is adapting.
My Life With George by Judith Summers
The hilarious and moving account of the impossible but adorable George, and of the wonderful way in which he helped to fill a huge void in the lives of both Judith and her son while driving them absolutely barking mad along the way. Optioned by Origin Films and the BBC, and currently out to directors.
The Ninth Life of Louis Drax by Liz Jensen
Nine-year-old Louis Drax is a problem child. He’s bright, precocious, deceitful and dangerously, disturbingly accident prone. On a family day out it seems almost predestined that something will happen. But this time it is worse than anyone could have imagined. “A remarkable suspense novel: tart, mysterious and wrenching” Anthony Minghella
Originally bought by The Weinstein Company for Anthony Minghella to write and direct, they are now out to directors.
No! I Don't Want to Join a Bookclub by Virginia Ironside
WW Entertainment, with the backing of BBC TV, have optioned Virginia's hilarious debut novel to adapt as a 90 minute drama for television. Ruth Jones (Gaving and Stacey) is working on a first draft script.
Northline by Willy Vlautin
“Vlautin is nothing less than the Dylon of the dislocated”
Independent on Sunday
Moving second novel about a lost young woman in need of a new start, set in Las Vegas. Optioned by Sharp Independent (Boys Don’t Cry and You Can Count on Me), Oscar nominated director Courtney Hunt (Frozen River) is attached to direct.
The Passenger by Chris Petit
A powerfully compelling thriller optioned by Cowboy Films with the backing of Film Four. Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland) is attached to direct and David Wolstencroft (Spooks) is working on a first draft script.
Poppy Shakespeare by Clare Allan
In the Spring of 2006, Cowboy Films with the backing of Channel 4, optioned Clare Allan's funny, brilliant and moving first novel. Adapted by Sarah Williams (Becoming Jane) and directed by Ben Ross (The Young Poisoner's Handbook) this highly original film, first broadcast on Channel 4 in 2008, stars Anna Maxwell Martin as N and Naomie Harris as Poppy.
Winner Jury prize and Young Jury prize - Cinema Science Film Festival in Bordeaux
Winner Best Independent Feature Film – Santa Barbara Film Festival
Naomie Harris won Best Female Performance in TV for Screen Nation Film and TV awards
Anna Maxwell Martin has been nominated as Best Actress in this year’s RTS awards – winner to be announced at the end of the month.
The Rapture by Liz Jensen
An enthralling psychological thriller that explores the dark extremes of mankind’s self-destruction in a world on the brink of disaster. Optioned by Warner Bros., Rupert Wyatt and Daniel Hardy (The Escapist) are adapting and Rupert is attached to direct.
A Small Death in Lisbon by Robert Wilson
This compulsively readable novel, part thriller, part psychological mystery, links two stories – late 90’s Lisbon, and Inspector Zé Coelho is investigating the murder of a young girl. As he digs deeper he overturns the dark soil of history and unearths old bones – a horrific connection to the arrival of the Nazis in Lisbon in 1941.
The A-list, multi-Oscar winning screenwriter Ron Bass (best known for Rainman, Snow Falling on Cedars and Entrapment), is optioning this novel himself and has an ambitious big budget feature in mind with exciting casting potential.
Stanley by Tim Jeal
Superb critically acclaimed and revisionist biography of Henry Morton Stanley, Britain’s greatest land explorer of all time. Optioned by Working Title Films for Joe Wright (Atonement) to direct.
Swung by Ewan Morrison
Strikingly original Glasgow-set first novel about a couple who begin to experiment sexually as a way of facing problems in their relationship. Optioned by Sigma Films (Gillian Berrie and David Mackenzie), the author has adapted himself. They are now approaching directors.
What Was Lost by Catherine O’Flynn
Birmingham set compelling and haunting mystery which became an international bestseller. Heyday Films have set up this project at Film Four with John Crowley directing (Boy A) and Jeremy Brock (The Last King of Scotland) is adapting.
Who Moved My Blackberry? by Lucy Kellaway
Hilarious and acutely observed novel about contemporary office life optioned by Kudos. Mark Bussell and Justin Sbresni (The Worst Week of My Life) have written two pilot scripts.
Wild Swans by Jung Chang
Few books have ever had such an impact as Wild Swans. Since its first publication it has been translated into 30 languages and sold more than 10 million copies. Through the story of three generations of women in her own family – grandmother, mother and daughter – Jung Chang reveals the whole tragic history of China’s twentieth century.
Recently optioned by Portobello Pictures, they plan a Chinese language film of the highest quality. Christopher Hampton renowned playwright and screenwriter (who recently adapted Atonement and Embers), is attached to adapt.
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