Scarlett Johansson will star in an adaptation of “Tangerine,” Christine Mangan’s debut novel. Deadline reports that Imperative Entertainment won an auction for the mystery-thriller novel, spending “mid-six figures against $1 million+.” The story focuses on two women whose lives intersect in unexpected and dangerous ways.
The publishing rights for the novel went to Ecco/Harper Collins earlier this week — for a hefty $1.1 million price tag — and already the story is on its way to the big screen. Clearly the publishing world and film industry see a lot of potential in “Tangerine.”
Set in 1950s Morocco, “Tangerine” centers on Alice Shipley, a woman who “tries to leave both her past and her college roommate behind after the man she intends to marry suddenly dies,” writes Deadline. “Years later, she reconnects with that same roommate, Lucy, and then Alice’s husband disappears. The mystery leaves Alice to wonder if Lucy is as dangerous as she thinks or whether she is imaging things.”
It seems likely that the film version of “Tangerine” will have a different title to avoid confusion with the 2015 film of the same name.
The project will be produced by Imperative’s Bradley Thomas and Dan Friedkin and Smokehouse’s George Clooney and Grant Heslov. Development will be overseen by Jillian Apfelbaum, Imperative’s VP Content. She’ll also co-produce.
“Christine has created an evocative and electrifying novel,” said Friedkin. “We’re thrilled to not only be working with George, Grant, and the talented team at Smokehouse Pictures but also one of the most skilled actors on the planet in Scarlett. This is an all-star team, and we can’t wait to bring this stunning tale to life.”
Johansson is a four-time Golden Globe nominee. Her recent credits include “Lucy,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” and “Hail, Caesar!” She voiced a character in “Sing,” an animated film that made its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival this September. “Sing” opens in theaters December 21. Johansson’s next starring role sees her playing a cyborg in the highly anticipated big-budget sci-fi film “Ghost in the Shell,” due March 31, 2017.
