Thriller writer John Grisham agrees to deal for The Testament
Last Updated: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 | 4:03 PM ET
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After turning down offers for 10 years, U.S. writer John Grisham has agreed to a movie deal for his 1999 novel The Testament.
The 821 Entertainment Group, the Nashville-based firm formed to create movies with "heartland appeal" has struck a deal for the bestseller, Variety reports.
The novel follows what happens when a billionaire leaves his fortune to an illegitimate daughter who does mission work in the Brazilian wetlands. A washed up lawyer is dispatched to find her and defend her from the billionaire's greedy relatives.
The Testament has a strong religious theme, which is among the qualities sought by 821 Entertainment. It is currently raising $250 million in capital to sink into entertainment ventures.
Grisham will have the right to creative input.
Numerous Grisham thrillers, including The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Rainmaker and Runaway Jury, have been turned into movies.
However, the lawyer-turned-writer is reported to have soured on Hollywood and turned down several offers in the 10 years since The Testament was published.
Fans finally convinced him to end his moratorium on movie deals, Variety said.
Other movies based on Grisham novels and now in production include Playing for Pizza and The Associate. An Innocent Man, which is based on a non-fiction book, is stalled because of a lawsuit.
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