Mitch Albom‘s latest novel, “Twice,” has been acquired by Netflix in a competitive situation.
Paul Weitz, who recently helmed the Kevin Hart-starring dramedy “Fatherhood” for the streamer, will adapt and direct the film. Weitz will also produce the movie with Andrew Miano through their company, Depth of Field.
To be published on October 7 by Harper, “Twice” is a love story about magical second chances. The novel asks: “What if you got to do everything in your life — again?” That’s the reality for Alfie Logan, who discovers the magical ability to undo any moment and live it again. The one catch, a synopsis of the story explains, is that he must accept the consequences of his second try, for better or worse.
The synopsis continues: “Eventually, Alfie turns his gift to his love life, studying his crushes and going back to make himself more appealing. In time, he falls deeply in love with Gianna, the woman he believes is the one. He seems to find contentment. But as the years pass, Alfie’s eye begins to wander. Which is when he learns a lone caveat to his power: once he undoes a love, that person can never fall in love with him again. Knowing if he gives in to temptation, he will risk losing what he has with Gianna, Alfie makes a choice that changes his life forever. The book begins many years later, after an ailing Alfie is arrested for allegedly cheating and winning millions at a casino roulette wheel. As a curious detective interrogates him, he slowly uncovers Alfie’s incredible story, and its most unlikely conclusion.”
“Twice” is the latest of Albom’s novels to be adapted for the screen. Four of the author’s bestsellers have been turned into successful TV movies: 1999’s “Tuesdays With Morrie,” starring Jack Lemmon and Hank Azaria, produced by Oprah Winfrey and which won four Emmy awards; 2004’s “Five People You Meet in Heaven,” which was the most-watched TV movie of the year with 19 million viewers; 2007’s “For One More Day,” also produced by Winfrey and which earned Ellen Burstyn a Screen Actors Guild nomination; and 2011’s “Have a Little Faith” for Hallmark Hall of Fame. Albom’s books have collectively sold 42 million copies worldwide and have been published in 51 territories and in 48 languages around the world.
Weitz’s filmography also includes the Apple TV+ series “Murderbot,” starring Alexander Skarsgard; “About a Boy,” which earned him a best adapted screenplay Oscar nomination; the comedy classic “American Pie”; “Moving On,” starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin; “Grandma,” also with Tomlin; and “Admission,” with Tina Fey and Paul Rudd.
CAA represents Albom and Weitz. Albom is also repped by the David Black Agency and attorney Eric Brown. Weitz is also repped by Untitled Entertainment and Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich, Goodell & Gellman.
