UK-based production company Reelart Media has acquired the film rights to Wilbur Smith’s novel Those In Peril.

The film adaptation is being developed now to be readied for a 2014 release, to coincide with Smith’s 50th anniversary as a novelist.

Those in Peril, his 33rd novel (which is published by Pan Macmillan), is about an ex-SAS soldier, Hector Cross, and explores themes of piracy, terrorism and ransom.

“Reelart is delighted to be part of what we regard as The Wilbur Smith Redux - bringing Wilbur Smith to a new generation. As a publishing phenomenon for the last five decades, we believe there is a real opportunity to put the works of Wilbur Smith in front of a new audience,” said Daniel O’Toole, managing director of Reelart.

Matt O’Toole, producer added, “We are looking forward to the work that lies ahead of us and firmly believe that the character of Hector Cross has the potential to be a 21st century equivalent to Fleming’s Bond, Ludlums’s Bourne or Clancy’s Jack Ryan.  A potential we intend to realise.”

Reelart was founded in 2009; Daniel O’Toole formerly worked at Village Roadshow in Australia and Matt O’Toole was a production accountant and financial controller for major films including Gladiator.

 

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