06/04/2011

The British film industry is doing feature adaptations of a much loved book and a cult television show.

Working Title Films and PeaPie Films have acquired the film rights from Random House Children’s Books for British writer Andy Mulligan’s Trash.

Richard Curtis (Love Actually [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) will adapt the book for the screen and Stephen Daldry (The Reader [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) will direct. Jenne Casarotto of Casarotto Ramsay Associates brokered the deal.

Trash is a contemporary thriller set in the third world, and follows three boys who eke out a living picking through rubbish mounds, until a surprise discovery sets them on a breathtaking adventure pitting their wits against corruption and authority.

The book was published in the UK and US by David Fickling Books, an imprint of Random House and has already been translated into 16 other languages.

Mulligan said, “As far as I’m concerned this is the dream-team, and what has really impressed me is their desire to tell the story as it is, without coating it in sugar. They ‘get’ the book, and you can't ask for more than that.”

Meanwhile, British musician and actor Ben Drew (4.3.2.1. [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), aka Plan B, will star alongside Ray Winstone (Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) in the feature film version of cult 70s ITV show The Sweeney.

The police drama is set in present day London and will be a modernisation of the television show, following wisecracking cops Jack Regan (Winstone, originally played by John Thaw) and George Carter (Drew, originally played by Dennis Waterman).

Nick Love (The Football Factory) co-wrote with BAFTA winner John Hodge (Trainspotting) and will also direct.