Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Dark Pursuit Sells Movie Option


I'm pleased to announce that a contract has been signed for the movie option of Dark Pursuit, my stand-alone novel released in the fall of 2008.

Maggie Field of Maggie Field Literary Consulting discovered Dark Pursuit while searching for new novels with film potential. She alerted producer Harry Gittes, who liked the book very much. Gittes has teamed up with screenwriter Chuck Pogue to purchase the option.

Before the contract was negotiated, Gittes and Pogue spent about an hour on the phone with me and my agent, Lee Hough of Alive Communications, talking about their vision for the film. It was a good conversation, and I appreciated the time they took to fill me in on their thoughts. After that conversation, all parties decided to proceed with negotiations.

If you're unfamiliar with the term "movie option," think of it as a rental of film rights for a book. For the specified time of the option, the purchasers tie up the film rights while they create a screenplay and see if they can gain interest in funding the film. If they do, the film rights are then bought outright. If not, when the option runs out the rights revert to the author, who can then option or sell the film rights to someone else.

About Dark Pursuit

Novelist Darell Brooke lived for his title as King of Suspense—until an auto accident left him unable to concentrate. Two years later, recluse and bitter, he wants one thing: to plot a new novel and regain his reputation.

Kaitlan Sering, his twenty-two-year-old granddaughter, once lived for drugs. After she stole from Darell, he cut her off. Now she’s rebuilding her life.

But in Kaitlan’s town two women have been murdered, and she’s about to discover a third. She’s even more shocked to realize the culprit—her boyfriend, Craig, the police chief’s son.

Desperate, Kaitlan flees to her estranged grandfather. For over forty years, Darell Brooke has lived suspense. Surely he’ll devise a plan to trap the cunning Craig.

But can Darell’s muddled mind do it? And—if he tries—with what motivation? For Kaitlan’s plight maybe the stunning answer to the elusive plot he seeks...

25 comments:

Richard Mabry said...

Brandilyn,
Great news! Now comes the part every novelist loves...the waiting. But nothing can happen until the work options for film, and you're past that hurdle. Congratulations!!!

Queen of Pith said...

Congrats!

Lynette Eason said...

Congratulations, Brandilyn, that's awesome!

Jason said...

That is awesome news. It's about time. Congrats!

l said...

Congrats, that's so cool!

Susanne said...

Congratulations! That is very exciting news!

Connie Brzowski said...

Oh my goodness! Congratulations!

How exciting :)

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

Bunches of applause and congrats! Look forward to the movie!

Stephanie Reed said...

Wha...?! Congratulations! And I don't have to read the first chapter because I won a copy in the caption contest a while back. I read Dark Pursuit so fast, guys. Get it if you haven't. I know it's early days, but if it makes the cut, have you any casting daydreams? Always fun to think about, even if it's not your call!

Anonymous said...

Whoo-Hooooo....can't wait to see the movie!! Loved the book

Nicole said...

Yay!! Good choice for them. However, when you start rubbing elbows with the Hollyweird types, be sure to mention Eyes of Elisha. Oh how I'd love to see that movie!

I picture Martin Landau as Darrell, but he might be a hair too old for the part. Any other ideas?

Ralene said...

Awesome news, lady! I can't wait to see the movie. Congrats!

Unknown said...

Great news, Brandilyn. Very exciting.

~ Brandilyn Collins said...

Thanks, all. To answer a few questions:

An option is a great beginning, but is far from the finished product. Many more books are optioned than become films. We'll have to wait to see what happens.

The literary consultant chose to present Dark Pursuit to producer Harry Gittes because of his long, close friendship with Jack Nicholson. (Nicholson's character in Chinatown was named after Gittes.) Nicholson would be an ideal actor to play Darrell. But again at this point it's all conjecture and maybes. The long journey has just begun.

PatriciaW said...

Congratulations, Brandilyn. Dark Pusuit will make a great film, and yes, Jack Nicholson would be a great choice. Hope this one makes it to film!

Bonnie S. Calhoun said...

Congratulations Brandilyn! LOL...maybe you should start dabbling in screenwriting, and do it yourself! It's not too hard :-)

Unknown said...

Wow, what an exciting development! Will await updates with baited breath!

Lynette Sowell said...

That's really exciting, Brandilyn! One step at a time. :) We need some great suspense movies.

Megan DiMaria said...

Wonderful, congratulations.

A prisoner of hope,
Megan

Sheila Deeth said...

Wow. Great news. I've got to read this.

Cathy Bryant said...

Congratulations! I know it's just a first step in a long process, but it's still a big deal! I'm very excited and happy for you!

Holly said...

Congratulations Brandilyn!! That's so exciting!!

Andi said...

WAY TO GO BRANDILYN!!!!!!! That is so exciting!!!!! I can't wait to see it and I am just ecstatic for you! ****doing the happy dance****

Anonymous said...

Brandilyn that is the best news I have heard in a while. Everytime I read your books I try to see them as a movie. I love acting. When I was reading your first series ( Color the side walk for me, capture the wind for me, and cast a road before me) I would always picture myself as the main girl part. I would love to be jess or jackie ( we are about the same age.) My biggest dream would be to be in the movie version of one of your book. :) congrast again!!

Anonymous said...

I will be the frist in line to watch it when it hits the theaters. :)