Beloved Pictures has secured the film rights to C.S. Lewisʼs The Great Divorce. C.S. Lewis, the world-renowned Oxford/Cambridge scholar and best-selling author of works such as The Chronicles of Narnia and The Screwtape Letters, is regarded as one of the most profound writers of the twentieth century. The first two installments of seven in the Chronicles of Narnia film franchise (The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe and Prince Caspian), produced by Disney & Walden Media, have grossed $1.16 billion to date. Lewis was also the subject of the Academy Award-nominated, BAFTA-winning biopic, Shadowlands, starring Anthony Hopkins and Debra Winger.
An adventure-laden tale in the vein of Lord of the Rings and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, The Great Divorce chronicles one man’s harrowing journey from the post-apocalyptic wasteland of Grey Town to the outskirts of heaven.
Beloved has attached David L. Cunningham, who helmed To End All Wars (Twentieth Century Fox), The Path to 9/11 (ABC), and Seeker: The Dark is Rising (Twentieth Century Fox/Walden Media), to direct. Michael Ludlum, Caleb Applegate and Robert Abramoff are all attached to produce. Bob Beltz, Special Advisor to The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and the Academy Award-winning Ray, is attached as an Executive Producer. “We are tremendously excited to bring one of Lewisʼs most profound stories to the screen, and we have assembled an exceptionally strong team to achieve that end,” said Beloved CEO Michael Ludlum. “We believe that this story, much like The Chronicles of Narnia, will resonate with a global audience.”
Beloved is also developing the Garry Marshall feature, Dear Eleanor, and the Cinco Paul & Jon Hale scripted, Nora. Cunningham is represented by United Talent Agency.
More news and information on Beloved’s current projects, can be found on the company’s website, www.belovedpictures.com.
By Mason Harrison