Xingu Films, the production company run by Trudie Styler, has joined forces with Canadian companies Strada Films and Triptych Media to acquire the film rights to The Outlander.

The film is based on Gil Adamson’s best-selling historical adventure and gothic love story published by House of Anansi Press. 

The story follows 19-year-old Mary Boulton, half mad and struggling for survival in the wilderness and isolation of turn-of-the-century Canada, relentlessly pursued by her late husband’s brothers who seek revenge for his murder.

“One of our producers, Alex Francis, is Canadian and introduced me to The Outlander, believing it would make a great film. The defiant spirit of the brilliantly drawn female lead hugely appealed to me, a role that any young actress would love to play,” said Styler.

Styler, who is married to British rock star Sting, recently produced Duncan Jone’s debut feature Moon, a science fiction film, along with Stuart Fenegan. The film, starring Sam Rockwell, premiered at Sundance, won the Michael Powell Award at the Edinburgh Film Festival and was released this month by Sony Pictures Classics.