"Boys Don't Cry" producer Jeffrey Sharp is aiming for the first film adaptation of William Styron's 1951 Southern family drama novel "Lie Down in Darkness" says Reuters.

'Darkness' tells the story of the rich and troubled Loftis family, centering on daughter Peyton, who winds up fleeing for the New York art world.

Both John Frankenheimer and Jay Fuchs previously tried to adapt the work into a film in the 1960's and 80's but both ran into difficulties forcing them to eventually abandon the property. Styron penned eight books in total, only "Sophie's Choice" having made it to the big screen.

Sharp plans to tell the story with a modern perspective and has managed to convince the late author's daughter Susanna to come onboard as producer.