The book's a bestseller in virtually every country on Earth (maybe not Tuvalu) and has been translated into 56 languages. Now Paul Coelho's The Alchemist is set for the big screen, with Laurence Fishburne set to write and direct the film. The story follows a young shepherd in Andalucia who has a dream about a buried treasure to be found near the Pyramids. He sets off in pursuit of his dream, but along the way finds obstacle after obstacle, and is often tempted to give up. There's some philosophy bits in there too, but we just skimmed those bits and read on to the next fight. The whole thing is a sort of magical fable about following your dream (can you believe that Disney hasn't already snapped it up?) with elements of religion, legend and history woven in. Fishburne is writing and directing, although there's no word yet on whether he'll star, and producing along with his Akeelah and the Bee co-producers Barrie Osbourne (of Lord of the Rings fame, so we figure he knows from fantasy) and Helen Sugland.

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RE: Fishburne To Direct The Alchemist
interesting the idea of a movie based on Paulo Coelho´s  book.or=#990066]My favorite is "El Manual del Guerrero de la Luz", though "El Alquimista" is one of his best books and the best for a movie.or=#990066] m not a fan of Coelho, not the rest of his books XD Though he has great messages in his books anywayss.or=#990066] shburn will do a great work ... Read More Anglachel About me
23:18, 30 June 2007 | Report This Post
Heard it before
I heard the same story about five years ago. Is he actually going to get off his ass and make it now or is Empire simply thin on the news front today? ... Read More Caster About me
18:57, 27 June 2007 | Report This Post
Lawrence Is No Alchemist
Im definetly not a fan of Lawrence Fishburne and haven't read the book either although I'll definetly seek it as it sounds good and i'm a major fan of fantasy films and well this has some fantasy elements. Please replace fishburne and put it in the hands of a more capable director like Andrew Adamson or maybe Neil Gaiman! Ya! role on Stardust ... Read More Filmfreak666 About me
17:21, 27 June 2007 | Report This Post
It's very easy to be sceptical when one of the greatest books ever written is going to get the Hollywood treatment. A very interesting choice to direct; Fishburne could bring some interest to the project - as long as it keeps the parable feel and keeps the ending we will be fine. Can't help thinking that Inarritu was born to tell this story on the big screen. ... Read More McQueen About me
14:57, 27 June 2007 | Report This Post
AT LAAAST!!!!! ... Read More taz_e About me
12:44, 27 June 2007 | Report This Post