In a highly competitive bidding situation, Sony Pictures has landed the film adaptation of “Run, Rose, Run,” set to star 11-time Grammy-winning and two-time Academy Award-nominated singer-songwriter Dolly Parton.
“I am thrilled to be bringing ‘Run, Rose, Run’ to Sony Pictures,” Dolly shared. “I'm looking forward to working with Sony and being in the movie as well. It's a good time to be excited, working with some of my favorite people.”
Dolly’s first novel, “Run, Rose, Run,” co-written with best-selling author James Patterson, has remained a New York Times best-seller since its publication by Little, Brown & Company on March 7. A novel glittering with danger and desire, the story is about a young woman who heads to Nashville to pursue her music-making dreams and is taken under the wing of a giant female musical icon. The source of their heart-wrenching songs are secrets that both have tried to hide. Featuring twelve original songs that tie into the storyline, Dolly also released a companion album of the same name through her own Butterfly Records, which debuted to number 1 on the Current Country Albums, American/Folk and Bluegrass charts.
“Run, Rose, Run” debuted at the number 1 spot on The New York Times bestseller list and spent 5 weeks at #1, making it the longest-running #1 New York Times bestseller of the decade and the bestselling novel of the year. The book’s success led to a fierce bidding war when the film project was announced shortly after, and it was Sony’s commitment to a theatrical release that secured the deal.
Dolly and James Patterson, via his company James Patterson Entertainment, will produce the feature alongside Reese Witherspoon via her Hello Sunshine banner, which worked with Sony Pictures on the upcoming adaptation of best-seller “Where the Crawdads Sing.” Lauren Neustadter is also producing for Hello Sunshine with Ashley Strumwasser executive producing, while Maia Eyre will oversee the project for Sony Pictures.
James Patterson said, “I want to watch this movie and say ‘I love this film.’ And that’s exactly why I’m so excited to be working with Hello Sunshine and Sony Pictures. They’re the best at what they do.”
“Dolly Parton and Jim Patterson. Are you kidding me? An entirely unique dynamic duo. Plus Hello Sunshine! We feel lucky as hell and grateful,” said Tom Rothman, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures’ Motion Picture Group.
Having starred in hit films including ‘9 to 5,” “Steel Magnolias” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”, “Run, Rose, Run” marks the first time Dolly will have a starring role on the big screen since her popular 1992 flick, “Straight Talk.” In addition to starring in and producing the film, Dolly will also be writing original songs to be featured in the big-screen adaptation.
Reese Witherspoon shared, “Counting my lucky stars that I get to collaborate with this dream team! Working with Dolly and James, who are both master storytellers, is a dream come true for me. I am overjoyed to have Sony Pictures on board as we work alongside Dolly Parton – a luminous personality, magnetic presence, and brilliant songwriter and storyteller – to bring Dolly’s gripping and heartbreaking story to the screen. We hope that this film will not only entertain but also inspire women and girls everywhere to keep dreaming.”
