By Georgie Cutler and Eva Lee
Acquisition News
Emily in Paris tie-in acquired by Quercus
Love it or hate it, you cannot deny the success of Netflix’s Emily in Paris. After two series of the show, there will now be a tie-in book for your reading pleasure. The show revolves around Emily, an American marketing executive, exploring ways to live and love in France’s capital. The book – called Paris J’Adore – will take the premise of the show and act as Emily’s guide to living the Parisian lifestyle. It will feature guidance on style, romance and locations to get the perfect pictures in the city. The world rights for the book were purchased by Katy Follain at Quercus from Risa Kessler at Paramount. Michael Szczerban and Emma Brodie from Hachette Book Group’s Voracious imprint acquired the rights alongside Follain. It will be available from 27 October 2022 and is set to make a great gift for fans of the Netflix series.
Hodder and Stoughton acquire Lam’s Dragonfall Trilogy
The fantasy trilogy written by Laura Lam has secured a deal with Hodder and Stoughton as UK and Commonwealth rights were acquired by Editorial Director, Molly Powell. Dragonfall will follow the story of humans and dragons with betrayal and magic involved. Thief Arcady steals a powerful artifact from an enemy and knows the magic it holds, bringing a new life among nobles and a chance for revenge. The magic connects to Everen, a male dragon, and as they both become closer, the risk of both worlds shattering rises. Dragonfall is set to be published on 23 May 2023 in the UK and US.
From Book to Screen
What to watch?
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris in Cinemas
Focus Features has bought international film rights for Paul Gallico’s novel released back in 1958. The film is directed and produced by Anthony Fabien and will star Lesley Manville, Isabelle Huppert and Jason Isaacs leading the film. Set in 1950s London, it will follow the life of a cleaning lady who falls in love with a Dior dress, sparking her passion for fashion and leading her to wander off to Paris and chase her dreams. Universal pictures will distribute the film worldwide and will be out in cinemas on 15 July 2022.
Lionsgate to Release White Bird: A Wonder Story
After much success with the release of Wonder, a spinoff film based on the 2019 graphic novel is set to release soon. The war film set after the events from Wonder will follow Julian’s story after being expelled from school and will feature his grandmother who shares her story and experiences living in the Second World War. It will focus on kindness and courage, which will help Julian, and will star Bryce Gheisar, Helen Mirren and Gillian Anderson. Lionsgate is set to distribute the film and will be released on 14 October 2022.
Mr. Malcolm’s List coming to the big screen
We are returning to 19th century England with the release of this historical romance film. Suzanne Allain’s novel Mr. Malcolm’s List follows a pair of women – Julia and Selina – who meet a conceited bachelor, the Honorable Jeremy Malcolm. He is set upon marrying the “perfect wife” from a thoroughly detailed list he has put together. After Mr. Malcolm spurns her, Julia hatches a plan to exact revenge with the help of her friend Selina. They create their own list for the man to match up to. The adaptation features the likes of Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù, Zawe Ashton, Freida Pinto, and Theo James. The screenplay was adapted by the author of the original novel and directed by Emma Holly Jones. This regency rom com can be watched in cinemas from 1 July.
In the Works
BBC Christmas adaptation of The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse
J.J. Abrams’ production company, Bad Robot Productions, is set to adapt Charlie Mackesy’s novel The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse. It is set to feature a star-studded cast including the likes of Tom Hollander, Idris Elba, Gabriel Byrne and a debut for Jude Coward Nicoll playing the mole, the fox, the horse and the boy respectively. The novel is a heartwarming collection of inspiration and wisdom interspersed by beautiful illustrations drawn by Mackesy. It started as a viral online series that resulted in the book’s publication in 2019 by Ebury. The author will co-adapt with Jon Croker and co-direct with Peter Baynton. The adaptation, led by producer Matthew Freud, will also feature an original score composed by Isobel Waller-Bridge. Bad Robot Productions will work with NoneMore Productions to bring the novel to life. This adaptation is set to be released this Christmas on the BBC.