Weinstein Co. has secured US rights to "Stormbreaker" and any potential sequels. "Stormbreaker" introduces to the screen the Alex Rider, hero of Anthony Horowitz's series of novels. Rider is a 14-year-old orphan who has been unwittingly trained all his life by his uncle with the skills to become a secret agent. When his guardian, an MI6 agent, is killed, Rider learns the truth and finds himself forced against his will to take on a dangerous mission for the British secret service. The $40 million-budgeted movie, currently in pre-production, will be directed by Geoffrey Sax ("White Noise"). Shooting starts July 4 at Pinewood Studios and on the Isle of Man..." (full details)
"Gladiator" screenwriter David Franzoni has optioned rights to adapt Park Chan-wook's 2000 hit "Joint Security Area." The film is a controversial drama about the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea - using the backdrop of the U.S.-Mexico border and illegal immigration. Under the deal, Franzoni also will make his directing debut on the remake...." (full details)
Scott Steindorff's Stone Village has acquired screen rights to Nicholas Sparks' bestseller "True Believer" in a deal that also includes the right to acquire follow-up novel "At First Sight." Sparks wrote "The Notebook," "A Walk To Remember" and "Message in a Bottle." "True Believer" concerns a writer for Scientific American who debunks myths and frauds. He heads to a small town in North Carolina, falls in love with the granddaughter of the town psychic and tries to reconcile his cynical side with a desire to believe..." (full details)
Thanks to 'KC'
