The screen rights to author Don Winslow’s upcoming crime epic trilogy of novels – “City On Fire,” “City of Dreams” and “City of Ashes” – have been acquired by Sony Pictures and Elizabeth Gabler’s 3000 Pictures.
A loose spin on Homer’s “The Iliad,” the trilogy focuses on two criminal empires – one Irish, the other Italian – that control Rhode Island and have led a peaceful lucrative existence until a modern-day Helen of Troy tears them apart and starts a brutal war.
The protagonist, Danny Ryan, is forced to grow from a street soldier into a ruthlessly efficient leader to protect his friends, his family and the home he loves. Fighting the Mafia, the local cops, the feds, Danny will build a dynasty or die trying.
The deal, said to be worth mid-seven figures plus performance bonuses, is one of the biggest book deals of the year so far. Shane Salerno will produce.
Winslow’s work has previously been turned into the films “Savages” by Oliver Stone and “Bobby Z” by John Herzfeld. Several other works of his are set up elsewhere including “The Force” at Disney, the Neal Carey books at MRC, the Cartel trilogy of books at FX, and “Satori” at Warners among others.
Source: Deadline
