George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Bob Dylan Team to Adapt John Grisham’s ‘Calico Joe’

George Clooney and Grant Heslov have teamed up Bob Dylan to adapt John Grisham’s baseball-themed novel, Calico Joe.

Clooney is attached to direct the feature and will produce with Heslov via the duo’s Smokehouse Pictures banner. Dylan is producing under his Grey Water Mark Productions.

The development of the project is being financed by ZQ Entertainment, aa newly-launched company from former CAA agent and producer Ara Keshishian and a multi-million dollar financing and development fund managed by Petr Jakl and represented by attorney Martin J. Barab. The fund is focusing on developing what it calls “high-end film and television” project, according to the company, which made the announcement Thursday. Jakl, Keshishian, and Barab will exec produce Calico Joe.

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The novel, published in 2012, is described as a “moving story about fathers and sons, forgiveness and redemption, set in the world of Major League Baseball.” The story follows the aftermath of a near-fatal pitch and how it affected the lives of the batter, the titular character, and the pitcher as well as the pitcher’s son.

“George and Grant see in this book what I see in it; a powerful story that will resonate with young and old alike,” said Dylan in a statement. “People in all walks of life will be able relate to it.”

In a joint statement, Keshishian and Jakl said, “In this climate, with the ever-evolving distribution landscape and different ways to reach audiences, we feel this is the perfect time to focus on development with the best storytellers.  The calibre of talent involved, and quality of John Grisham’s amazing book is the exact type of content we are looking to develop and produce.  Smokehouse’s track record speaks for itself and we look forward to working with them and the legendary Bob Dylan to bring this story to life.”