Director Steven Spielberg is looking to acquire filming rights to produce a movie based on author John Steinbeck's novel "The Grapes of Wrath"
Adapting great novels into movies is not a new thing for the film industry. Renowned director, Steven Spielberg is now eyeing the works of author John Steinbeck for his next project. The director is looking to acquire film rights to Steinbeck's novel "The Grapes of Wrath" and will reportedly produce the movie adaptation for DreamWorks, revealed Deadline.
The Grapes of Wrath, first published in 1939, is a story of the Joad family as they are driven from their home by an economic disaster to seek a better life elsewhere. The plot revolves around the effects of the Great Depression and droughts in Oklahoma in the 1930s. Since its release, it has remained popular, with the original cinematic adaptation coming out in 1940, just a year after the book's official release. Spielberg is not the only party interested in gaining filming rights of the novel. Sundance, Robert Redford's not-for-profit film institute, also wanted to produce a miniseries based on the novel but the Steinbeck estate was persuaded by Spielberg's offer of a feature film instead. Even if DreamWorks is successful in its bid for the rights, Spielberg is unlikely to direct the movie, but will definitely produce the movie. His next film as director will be "American Sniper," based on the autobiography of Navy Seal Chris Kyle, with Bradley Cooper as the lead.