Paramount Pictures Acquires The Rights To "THE DIVINERS"

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom, Inc., has purchased the screen rights to "THE DIVINERS," an upcoming novel from New York Times bestselling author Libba Bray.  Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage will produce through their Fake Empire banner.  Bray will adapt the screenplay and serve as executive producer. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120612/LA23359)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/19991206/PARLOGO)

Set in the 1920s, "THE DIVINERS" follows a group of young New Yorkers with mysterious powers who play a dramatic role in a battle of good vs. evil when a series of occult-based murders begins to terrify the city.

"THE DIVINERS" will be published this September by Little, Brown Books and is the first in a four part book series.  Lis Rowinski, who oversees Fake Empire's film business, and Fake Empire creative executive Jay Marcus, brought in the project.  The Gotham Group negotiated the deal on behalf of the author.

Bray's other credits include penning the New York Times bestselling Gemma Doyle trilogy ("A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY," "REBEL ANGELS" and "THE SWEET FAR THING"), the Michael L. Printz Award-winning "GOING BOVINE" and the Los Angeles Times Book Award finalist "BEAUTY QUEENS," as well as several short stories and plays.  She is repped by Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Eddie Gamarra of The Gotham Group and Barry Goldblatt of Barry Goldblatt Literary. 

About Paramount Pictures Corporation

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

About Fake Empire

Fake Empire's first feature, "FUN SIZE" from Paramount Pictures, hits theaters this October.  Schwartz directed the film, based on a script by Max Werner, and produced with Savage.  The shingle has several other feature films in the works including "AU REVOIR, CRAZY EUROPEAN CHICK," "LET IT SNOW," "THE LUXE" and "THE LIKENESS," the latter of which, Savage will write.  On the television side, the company will have four series on the air in the upcoming season including new series "THE CARRIE DIARIES" and "CULT," as well as sophomore hit "HART OF DIXIE" and the iconic "GOSSIP GIRL," wrapping its run after six successful seasons.  Schwartz, Savage and Fake Empire are repped by WME.

SOURCE Paramount Pictures Corporation