News > Weinsteins, Fishburne to Make "Alchemist" Together

Paolo Coelho's "The Alchemist" may finally get the big screen adaptation that's been in development for over a decade. Harvey Weinstein will personally produce the film along with Laurence Fishburne, who will also star and direct. The Weinstein Co. will oversee worldwide distribution.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the novel tells the story of Santiago, "an Andalusian shepherd boy, who while traveling the world in search of treasure meets an alchemist, to be played by Fishburne." Weinstein is beginning the search for a screenwriter to adapt the book, and will set up a casting call for Santiago and Fatima, the primary love interest. 

Variety says that Coelho sold the rights to his bestselling book 14 years ago to Warner Brothers for a quarter of a million dollars. As time went on without result, the novelist even made a two million dollar offer to buy the rights back, but was denied. Somehow, Laurence Fishburne and his A-Mark Entertainment managed to get a hold of the rights and sold them to the Weinsteins for just under three million (though this is unconfirmed at this point). They're planning to begin production on the $60 million movie next year in either late spring or early summer.

Coelho told Variety, "I hope this is finally going to be made now after 14 years of waiting. We finally have something that is very concrete. All I want is to see a good movie."

-David Morgan