Grisham makes movie deal for The Testament

Posted on June 23, 2009
Filed Under Adaptation, News

When I first read about this I was a bit surprised because I thought all Grisham novels went straight to movie adaptation… Not being sarcastic or anything, I like his books and have nothing but good things to say about his work but… How many times have we seen, in the opening credits, “Based on the novel xxxxxx by John Grisham“? Ten times my friends. Ten times.

Now some of you might actually say “Grisham? Who’s John Grisham?” Well, he’s an American author, best known for his legal thrillers. Before becoming a writer, he was a successful lawyer and politician. As of 2008, his books have sold over 250 million copies worldwide.

Anyway, Variety reports that after a decade of saying no, John Grisham has made a movie deal for his 1999 bestselling novel “The Testament.” In the novel, a billionaire defies his greedy relatives and leaves his $11 billion fortune to a mysterious illegitimate daughter doing charity work in the Brazilian wetlands. A down-and-out lawyer helps her battle her relatives over the fortune.

The deal for “The Testament” shows the power of persistence on the part of producer Johnson, who has kept on Grisham for the better part of a decade. “I’ve been calling them since I read it the first time and felt it had the best of the courthouse stuff that John writes so well, plus this exotic adventure in deepest Brazil,” Johnson said.

Grisham will receive a six-figure option against a bigger payday if “The Testament” goes forward. He will also have the right to provide creative input, which he didn’t always have in the past.

Sweet deal for Grisham. Hope the film turns out as good as the book.

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