Deadline reports that “Downton Abbey” helmer Brian Percival will direct The Book Thief for Fox 2000. Michael Petroni adapted the book by Australian author Markus Zusak. Karen Rosenfelt (“The Twilight Saga”) will produce.
The book is described as follows:
Its just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery…
Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resistbooks. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.
This is an unforgettable story about the ability of books to feed the soul.
The are looking to start filming this summer.
