Focus Features has acquired The Heights, the new novel by Peter Hedges. The author will write the screenplay adaptation, and produce and direct the feature. Focus president of production John Lyons made the announcement today.
The project reteams Mr. Hedges, an Academy Award nominee as a screenwriter of About a Boy, with Mr. Lyons, whose last feature as a film producer prior to joining Focus as president of production in 2003 was Pieces of April, directed by Mr. Hedges from his original screenplay. That film earned actress Patricia Clarkson an Academy Award nomination. Mr. Hedges’ next film as writer/director was the hit Dan in Real Life, starring Steve Carell. His earlier screenwriting credits include A Map of the World, directed by Scott Elliott and for which actress Sigourney Weaver received a Golden Globe Award nomination ; and What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, directed by Lasse Hallström and for which actor Leonardo DiCaprio earned his first Academy Award nomination. Mr. Hedges adapted the latter film’s screenplay from his own novel of the same name.
The Heights was published last month by Dutton. The story centers on a contemporary couple raising their children in the beautiful, affluent Brooklyn neighborhood from which the book draws its name. Young parents Tim and Kate Welch have a relationship other couples envy, but their seemingly perfect world is turned upside down by the arrival of alluring, wealthy new neighbors. Focus executive vice president, production Kahli Small is supervising the project for Mr. Lyons.