Adam Shankman Signs on to Direct Phoenix Pictures' John Grisham Novel 'Playing for Pizza', J. Mills Goodloe Signs on to Adapt

Adam Shankman Signs on to Direct Phoenix Pictures' John Grisham Novel 'Playing for Pizza', J. Mills Goodloe Signs on to Adapt

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- In a speedy turn of events since optioning the novel in May, Phoenix Pictures has signed Adam Shankman ('Hairspray') to direct and J. Mills Goodloe to adapt the John Grisham best-selling novel 'Playing for Pizza'. Phoenix's Mike Medavoy, Arnie Messer and David Thwaites will produce, with Shankman's Offspring Entertainment. Shankman and producing partner Jennifer Gibgot will serve as executive producers. Project is a priority for the two companies, with Shankman intending it to be the next movie he directs.

"I'm thrilled to be working with Phoenix and John Grisham on this adaptation. I've been wanting to do an aggressive, adult, character dramedy for some time. Everyone in my life are insane football fanatics, so this project is a perfect, and organic story for me and my company. We can't wait to get started," said Shankman.

Medavoy added, "All of us at Phoenix are very excited to be working with Adam and Mills on this John Grisham book, which to us is reminiscent of films like 'Jerry Maguire' and 'Bull Durham'."

The story centers around a washed-up NFL quarterback who finds the only job available to him is on a semi-professional team in Italy and finds there is more to life than football.

Shankman is repped by UTA and lawyer Alan Hergott of Bloom Hergott Diemer Rosenthal Laviolette & Feldman. Shankman is currently in post-production on the Adam Sandler starrer 'Bedtime Stories' for Disney, set for a December release.

Goodloe is repped by UTA and managed by Jeff Okin at Anonymous Content. He recently wrote 'Wonderful Tonight' for Castle Rock, co-wrote 'Pride' for Lions Gate, and wrote and directed 'A Gentleman's Game'.

Phoenix Pictures is currently in production with Mikael Hafstrom's 'Shanghai' for The Weinstein Company, is in post-production on the Martin Scorsese/Leonardo DiCaprio project 'Shutter Island' for Paramount, and has enlisted Darren Aronofsky and David Self for 'RoboCop' for MGM.

Grisham's novels have been made into numerous films, including the 'The Firm', 'The Client', 'The Pelican Brief', 'The Chamber', 'A Time To Kill' and 'Runaway Jury'. Grisham's first non-fiction book, 'The Innocent Man', is in development at Warner Bros. and George Clooney's Smoke House. Grisham's next novel, 'The Associate' is due out in January 2009.

    Contact: David Thwaites             Phoenix Pictures             +1-424-298-2424  

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Source: Phoenix Pictures

CONTACT: David Thwaites of Phoenix Pictures, +1-424-298-2424

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Profile: International Entertainment