‘The Alchemist’, the best-selling book by Paulo Coelho will be turned into a film.
Laurence Fishburne will direct, write and star in the $60 million production, which is being made by Harvey Weinstein.
‘The Alchemist’ book has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and translated into 67 languages. Such is its enduring appeal, it is currently at number six on The New York Times bestseller list, 20 years after its first publication.
It tells the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who travels across the Egyptian desert in search of treasure, leading to an encounter with an alchemist who teaches him the meaning of life.
Weinstein unveiled details of the film at the Cannes Film Festival and said it was a project dear to his heart.
He said: “It is a book I have been truly inspired by and I have agreed to personally produce it. The Alchemist is simple and spiritual, and the screenplay will reflect that. The book means so much to people on a spiritual level yet there is also a great love story in it. It is an incredibly moving, emotional story.”
The film will have the feel of Life Is Beautiful and Cinema Paradiso, and will be made by the team behind The Aviator, Gangs Of New York and The English Patient.
Fishburne will play the alchemist of the title and Weinstein said he was determined to cast Penelope Cruz after seeing her in Cannes film Vicky Cristina Barcelona earlier this week. “One way or another I’m finding a part for Penelope Cruz,” he said.
The project has been in gestation for over a decade and marks the major directorial debut of Fishburne, the Oscar-nominated star of The Matrix and Boys N The Hood.
He said: “It is wonderful to be bringing this best-beloved novel to the big screen. I feel like the luckiest man on the planet.”
The film will beginning shooting late next spring.
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