Shankman to direct Grisham adaptation

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LOS ANGELES, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Hollywood filmmaker Adam Shankman has signed on to direct the big-screen adaptation of John Grisham's novel "Playing for Pizza," Phoenix Pictures said.

The production company optioned the novel in May and has since hired J. Mills Goodloe to write the screenplay.

"I'm thrilled to be working with Phoenix and John Grisham on this adaptation. I've been wanting to do an aggressive, adult, character dramedy for some time. Everyone in my life are insane football fanatics, so this project is a perfect and organic story for me and my company. We can't wait to get started," Shankman, who previously directed the movie musical "Hairspray," said in a statement.

Numerous Grisham novels have already been made into films; among them are "The Firm," "The Pelican Brief," "A Time To Kill" and "Runaway Jury."