Publications
Partners
Johannesburg – South African super sleuth Bennie Griessel, the fictional character penned by local crime writer Deon Meyer, is set to possibly make his silver screen debut soon.
British producers Malcolm Kholl and Robert Fig had already expressed their interest in 13 Uur (Thirteen Hours) two years ago and now it seems that discussions may reach a conclusion by March, according to Meyer.
British actor Sean Bean (The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones) is being considered for the role of Bennie Gressiel and there is hope that 007 director Roger Spottiswood (Tomorrow Never Dies, Turner & Hooch) might sign up for the project.
"No contracts have been signed thus far and everything is still pending," said Meyer.
"It is a lengthy process, but I am cautiously optimistic about the trilogy."
Bright future
Infanta (Devil's Peak), the first book that dealt with the adventures of Bennie Griessel, won an ATKV prize as well as prizes for the Swedish and French translations. Infanta was followed by 13 Uur which built on its predecessor's success and recently won the American Barry prize for Best Thriller.
The third instalment 7 Dae was only published in November, but already the future looks bright for Bennie and his escapades.
13 Uur is first in line to be filmed and has already been adapted into a screenplay – although not by Meyer himself.
"I was asked, but I declined. A book and a screenplay are two different mediums and cannot be compared. The best film has to be taken from the book. I have characters and scenes that I care about and therefore I am not objective enough to write the screenplay.
"I would be very pleased if Sean Bean could play Bennie Griessel. I recently saw his work on Game of Thrones and it was phenomenal.
"I am saddened that the role cannot go to a local actor, but for the film to be distributed internationally and to be successful a well known cast is required."
British producers Malcolm Kholl and Robert Fig had already expressed their interest in 13 Uur (Thirteen Hours) two years ago and now it seems that discussions may reach a conclusion by March, according to Meyer.
British actor Sean Bean (The Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones) is being considered for the role of Bennie Gressiel and there is hope that 007 director Roger Spottiswood (Tomorrow Never Dies, Turner & Hooch) might sign up for the project.
"No contracts have been signed thus far and everything is still pending," said Meyer.
"It is a lengthy process, but I am cautiously optimistic about the trilogy."
Bright future
Infanta (Devil's Peak), the first book that dealt with the adventures of Bennie Griessel, won an ATKV prize as well as prizes for the Swedish and French translations. Infanta was followed by 13 Uur which built on its predecessor's success and recently won the American Barry prize for Best Thriller.
The third instalment 7 Dae was only published in November, but already the future looks bright for Bennie and his escapades.
13 Uur is first in line to be filmed and has already been adapted into a screenplay – although not by Meyer himself.
"I was asked, but I declined. A book and a screenplay are two different mediums and cannot be compared. The best film has to be taken from the book. I have characters and scenes that I care about and therefore I am not objective enough to write the screenplay.
"I would be very pleased if Sean Bean could play Bennie Griessel. I recently saw his work on Game of Thrones and it was phenomenal.
"I am saddened that the role cannot go to a local actor, but for the film to be distributed internationally and to be successful a well known cast is required."
