EXCLUSIVE: Finding Neverland,World War Zand The Kite Runner director Marc Forster has been set to direct Oscar winner Tom Hanks in the anticipated U.S. adaptation of Swedish comedy hit A Man Called Ove, we can reveal.
Two-time Oscar nominee David Magee (Life Of Pi) is scripting the projectAnd re-uniting with Forster after their collaboration on acclaimed drama Finding Neverland, for which both were BAFTA nominated.
Production is due to begin this year on the feature which has been in the works for a few years and is based on the Swedish hit novel by Fredrik Backman. This life-affirming comedy about love, unexpected friendships and the pursuit of happiness sold more than 7 million copies around the world and was a New York Times bestseller for 77 consecutive week.
SF Studios adapted the novel to big screen in 2015. The film received two Oscar nominations. The charming pic was the highest-grossing foreign language film in the U.S. in 2016.
Fredrik Wikström Nicastro of Nordic major SF Studios is producing with Rita Wilson (Mamma Mia!Playtone partners Tom Hanks & Gary Goetzman. Forster will serve as executive producer alongside Renée Wolfe via their production company 2DUX2.
Hanks screen icon is in production for the Apple series Masters Of The Air, Robert Zemeckis’s Pinocchio, Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City and Biz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic.
Forster said: “When I first read Fredrik Backman’s novel, I fell in love with the notion that friendship has the power to shape a person’s life. I can’t wait to create a film with so much humor and heart alongside Tom and Rita.”
Rita Wilson said: “Fredrik Backman wrote a novel that has entertained, moved and inspired countless readers through his character of “Ove”. The story’s humanity resonated with many people around the world, including me. I am always looking for films that bring joy to people and hopefully create an experience where we can all see ourselves in others. It’s an honor to be producing this movie and to be bringing it to audiences everywhere.”
SF Studios is in the works on projects including Swedish film adaption The EmigrantsThe Danish epic drama Margrete Queen Of The NorthThe Norwegian feature film “The Norwegian Movie” Quislingund the Swedish original series Snabba CashNetflix. These are some of the previous international releases Borg vs. McEnroe starring Sverrir Gudnasson and Stellan Skarsgård and the thriller Horizon LineStarring Alexander Dreymon, Allison Williams.
Fredrik Wikström added: “Marc has made many films we love. His unique ability to tell human stories that strongly connect with audiences, makes him the perfect filmmaker to helm this beloved story. We couldn´t be more excited to have him and David Magee on board – bringing their magic to screens again, following their successful collaboration on Finding Neverland.”
Michael Porseryd, CEO at SF Studios said: “Both the novel and the Swedish film adaptation of A Man Called Ove were huge successes due to the poignant and timeless story of love, loss, family and friendships. To now have the opportunity to create a US adaptation with this high calibre of cast, producers and the incredibly versatile and skilled Marc Forster at the helm is a dream! It is a fantastic milestone for SF Studios in our 102-year history as a film studio.”