HAMBURG, Germany, March 5 (UPI) -- New Line Cinema, the U.S. film company behind "The Lord of the Rings," has secured the film rights for "Inkheart," a popular German children's fantasy.
New Line reportedly beat out David Heyman, producer of the "Harry Potter" films, in its quest to make the movie, the Times of London reported Friday.
"New Line gave me confidence that the movie will have its own life and be true to my book," said Cornelia Funke, author of "Inkheart" and 40 other books. "I really appreciate what they did with 'Lord of the Rings.'"
"Inkheart," which spent 19 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, centers on a bookbinder called Mo who has the power to breathe life into stories and characters just by reading aloud.
Funke, who will be a producer on the film, said she hopes to cast U.S. actor Brendan Fraser in the lead role.
"He has a special voice," she said, "which is of vast importance to the character."
