Will Ferrell, Adam McKay and their Gary Sanchez Productions (named after a fictitious Paraguayan American football player, for reasons best known to themselves) have thrown down cash to buy Frank Portman’s first novel, King Dork.
The book – which, amazingly for a “new” novel purchased by a film team, has already been published – focuses on a 14-year-old high school slacker whose life changes when he discovers his dead father’s copy of Catcher In The Rye.
McKay and Ferrell will develop the book into a project for Paramount Vantage with Sanchez head Chris Henchy. “Chris and Adam assured me this book, once turned into a movie, will make $500 million domestic," the imaginary Sanchez told The Hollywood Reporter. "If it does not, I will hit each of their hands with a hammer."
Back in the real world, Vantage production head Amy Israel seemed excited about the book’s quality: "Frank has such an original voice, and his novel brilliantly captures the sort of insecurities all kids feel growing up."
There’s no writer or director attached yet.