Warner Bros. has acquired feature film rights to Donna Tartt’s bestselling novel “The Goldfinch” in a deal that comes three weeks after TheWrap first reported the studio was the frontrunner for the high-profile project.
In the interim, RatPac Entertainment has come on to produce “The Goldfinch,” with Brett Ratner joining Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson of Color Force. RatPac’s James Packer will executive produce.
Also read: Warner Bros. Is Frontrunner to Acquire Donna Tartt’s ‘The Goldfinch’ (Exclusive)
The deal took several weeks to close, as Tartt and her reps at ICM Partners were concerned about the lack of progress Warner Bros. made several years ago in developing the author’s “Secret History.” Tartt is expected to be involved in the direction of the project, including creative decisions.
The Dickensian adventure story, which takes place over two decades, follows a teenage boy whose mother dies in a museum bombing. He survives the tragedy and steals Fabritius’ famous painting “The Goldfinch.” Eventually, he’s taken in by a wealthy Manhattan family, and years later, reunites with the alcoholic father who abandoned him.
The deal comes as much-needed good news for Ratner, whose “Hercules” underperformed at the domestic box office this past weekend, grossing less than $30 million despite a $100 million budget.
Also read: ‘Hunger Games’ Producers to Adapt Donna Tartt’s ‘The Goldfinch’ (Exclusive)
“The Goldfinch” won a Pulitzer Prize for fiction and has been on the New York Times bestseller list for 39 weeks.
Warner Bros. executives Courtenay Valenti and Racheline Benveniste will oversee the project for the studio.
Deadline first reported RatPac’s involvement in the project.