Laurence Fishburne and A-Mark Ent. have purchased the film rights to Paulo Coelho's bestselling novel THE ALCHEMIST from Warner Bros. Pictures, reports THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.
The story follows a wanderer traveling the globe at the time of the Inquisition trying to discover man's purpose while discovering hidden treasure in the pyramids of Egypt. Since first being published in 1988, the book has been printed in 56 languages and sold more than 40 million copies around the world.
Fishburne adapted the script and plans to direct. He will team with his AKEELAH AND THE BEE producer Helen Sugland and Barrie Osborne (THE LORD OF THE RINGS) to produce as well. Steve Markoff and Bruce McNall of A-Mark will exec produce.
Paradigm Motion Picture Finance Group, Osborne and KMI Films' Kathy Morgan are securing funding for the project via private-equity financing and international presales.
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