Book News: Coen Brothers To Film Chabon’s Yiddish Policemen

Michael Rogers -- Library Journal, 2/21/2008 9:17:00 AM

• Simon & Schuster also producing series based on Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp novels
• Mark Clayman has optioned Ron Hall and Denver Moore’s inspirational Same Kind of Different as Me

Filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen and producer Scott Rudin have purchased the film rights to Michael Chabon’s off-center mystery The Yiddish Policemen’s Union (HarperCollins). The Coens, who have drawn kudos for their Oscar-nominated adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s No Country for Old Men (http://www.nocountryforoldmen.com/), will write and direct the film, with Rudin taking on producing duties.

Additionally, CBS Films has cut a deal with Simon & Schuster/Atria Books for film rights to best-selling author Vince Flynn’s action thriller series featuring protagonist Mitch Rapp (e.g., Protect and Defend). The first film, in what is planned to be a multifilm series, will be released in 2010. Flynn also has signed a four-book deal with the publisher for more Rapp adventures.

Lastly, Thomas Nelson revealed that producer Mark Clayman has optioned Ron Hall and Denver Moore’s inspirational Same Kind of Different as Me.