News – Vampire Hunters, Snow White, and Franco

The folks over at Deadline Hollywood are reporting that Universal has just purchased a script titled “Snow White and the Huntsman” for 1.5 million dollars, obviously taking the famous deceased gal in a new, and I presume more sinister, direction.  Rupert Sanders, desired by everyone for their big budget projects (he’s said to be up for the All You Need Is Kill job) will be directing.

Another hot project that looks to be bought up soon is “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,” based on the novel by Seth Grahame-Smith.  The script is said to have in it Abraham Lincoln.  And vampires.  Tim Burton is producing and Timur Bekmambetov is directing.  You may be asking the question, “How is it a spec script if it’s based on a novel and two entertainment heavies are attached to it?”  Well technically any script that you’re writing and not getting paid for is a spec.  The traditionalist in me sure would like a good ole fashioned original spec idea but hey, if it keeps the market alive, it’s a nice consolation.

James Franco, fresh off his 127 Days buzz, has purchased the Stephen Elliott novel, The Adderall Diaries, which he not only plans to direct and star in, but write as well!  More power to him.

Finally, the biggest purchase of the day was actually in the book world.  For 2.5 million dollars Sonny Mehta acquired The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai based on a four page proposal.  It looks like we’re in the wrong business!  Desai is a Booker Prize winner for her heady novel, The Inheritance of Loss.