Latest Acquisitions & Adaptations
By Georgie Cutler and Eva Lee
Acquisition News
Viking Snags Rights to Thriller Novels
The rights to The Beach Party and The Perfect Escape by author Nikki Smith were bought by Harriet Boughton and Vikki Moynes under Viking. Smith explains the books will contain “sun, sea, sand... and just a touch of murder. Split between the 1980s and present day, it follows six friends on the post-university holiday of their dreams… something terrible happens that binds them inextricably. Thirty years later, the truth has been collectively buried.” (The Bookseller). The Beach Party will release with e-book and audio versions in July 2023 followed by The Perfect Escape in July 2024.
The Trainspotter’s Notebook by Tiktok’s Francis Bourgeois acquired by Transworld
Transworld, a division of Penguin Random House, has bought the UK and Commonwealth rights to an upcoming release from the TikTok famous trainspotter. Francis Bourgeois amassed a social media following of over 4.3 million through his trainspotting videos during the pandemic and has since gone on to do campaigns with Gucci and Spotify. The Trainspotter’s Notebook will contain stories of his trainspotting adventures whilst highlighting the history of the railway networks that currently traverse Britain. It looks to be a champion of trainspotting, a hobby that Bourgeois disconnected from in his teenage years due to wanting to fit in. This deal was undertaken by the editorial director Henry Vines from Transworld and Millie Lean from YMU. It’s currently set to be published on 27 October 2022.
From Book to Screen
What to Watch?
BBC picks up My Name is Leon
BBC has picked up another book adaptation after the recent success of Sally Rooney's Conversations with Friends. The upcoming film based on the novel of the same name written by Kit De Waal will be directed by Lynette Linton with screenplay by Shola Amoo. The story will follow nine-year-old Leon, a mixed-raced boy and his journey to reuniting with his brother after being separated and taken into care. Set in Birmingham during the 1980s there will be moments of identity struggles and hardships faced for Leon. It is set to star Sir Lenny Henry who also serves as executive producer, Christopher Eccleston, Malachi Kirby and Olivia Williams. It is now available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Bullet Train coming to the Big Screen
Kotaro Isaka’s novel Bullet Train is making its way into cinemas this August. Translated into English by Sam Malissa, the high-octane crime thriller was shortlisted for the 2022 CWA (Crime Writers’ Association) Crime Fiction in Translation Prize. The novel takes place on a bullet train out of Tokyo. Five assassins are passengers on board the train, competing for a suitcase filled with money. The question is, who will make it to their destination? The comedic adaptation features a star-studded cast, including Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Brian Tyree Henry, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Joey King, Bad Bunny, Zazie Beetz and Hiroyuki Sanada. It is directed by David Leitch, who previously had hits with Atomic Blonde (2017) and Deadpool 2 (2018). You can watch Bullet Train in cinemas from 3 August 2022.
In the works
Graphic Novel Shortcomings In the Works
The graphic novel is set to be directed by Fresh off the Boat star Randall Park making his first directorial debut, who will likely put a spin to the story. Adrian Tomine, the author of the book, is also lined up for screenplay and executive producer. The story follows trio Miko Hayashi, Ben Tanaka and Alice Kim as they explore relationships, Asian-American stereotypes and culture differences living in American society. Not much is known for the casting and release date as more information is yet to be announced.
Original Film to Develop Rosaline Palmer Takes The Cake
A feature film is being developed by Original Film of Rosaline Palmer Takes The Cake by Alexis Hall. Neal Moritz and Karina Rahardja are using the discretionary fund that Original Film has with Paramount to produce the venture. You may recognise Alexis Hall from their 2020 novel Boyfriend Material, which has been a huge success on BookTok. This novel, the first in Hall’s Winner Bakes All series, follows Rosaline Palmer, whose main goal in life is to own her own bakery and provide for her daughter. She has managed to get a place on a famous baking show in Britain that may change her fortune. However, there she meets two contestants that may change her views on life, love and her long-term goals. The project is set to be executive produced by Cameron Fuller, Gregg Sulkin, and Maisie Richardson-Sellers. There is no word yet regarding a release date but we can’t wait for the Bake Off inspired romance.