Lasse Hallstrom Signs on to Direct 'Safe Haven'

Lasse Hallstrom has closed a deal to direct Relativity Media’s Safe Haven, the big screen adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' latest novel.

Hallstrom is no stranger to the prolific author’s work, having directed Dear John, also based on a Sparks novel. Relativity financed and produced that film as well, although it was released by Screen Gems.

Safe Haven is scheduled to begin production later this year.

“Lasse is an incredibly gifted director,” Relativity worldwide president of production Tucker Tooley said. “He was the obvious choice to bring Safe Haven to life, as he showed incredible talent and affinity for Nicholas’ material on Dear John.”

Safe Haven tells the story of a young woman who escapes her past by moving to North Carolina. She falls for a widowed father, who helps her heal her heart — and escape the danger that threatens her.

Alongside Relativity’s CEO Ryan Kavanaugh and Sparks, the film is being produced by Temple Hill Entertainment’s Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey. Relativity’s Tooley will serve as executive producer. The screenplay is written by Dana Stevens (City Of Angels).