Parallel books Sallis rights

Parallel Entertainment Pictures has acquired film rights to novelist James Sallis’ series of Lew Griffin crime novels.

The novels center on Griffin, a New Orleans-based literature professor and former private investigator who works to unravel missing-persons cases while battling his own demons. The series includes such titles as “Long Legged Fly,” “Moth,” “Black Hornet,” “Eye of the Cricket,” “Bluebottle” and “Ghost of a Flea.”

Sallis is no stranger to Hollywood; his novel “Drive” recently was acquired by Universal Pictures for producer Marc Platt.

Parallel principal J.P. Williams and the company’s Alan Blomquist are developing the series as feature film adaptations. Parallel head of development Jennifer Novak is overseeing.

Williams said he is hoping to bring back the tradition of an ongoing detective movie series and already is discussing the series with actors.

Parallel recently financed and produced the features “Delta Farce” and “Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector,” both distributed by Lionsgate. The company is in production on “Witless Protection,” starring Larry the Cable Guy and Jenny McCarthy.

Sallis is repped by APA.