According to Deadline, screenwriter Shaun Grant (Berlin Syndrome) will adapt the screenplay for Penguin Bloom, an upcoming film to star two-time Oscar nominee Naomi Watts (Netflix’s Gypsy). The film is based on the top-selling book Penguin the Magpie: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved a Family by Bradley Trevor Greive (New York Times bestselling author of The Blue Day Book) and Cameron Bloom. The book was published in Australia under the title Penguin Bloom.
Watts, Reese Witherspoon and Bruna Papandrea optioned the book last December and the trio will produce the film along with Emma Cooper. The book captures the story of Cameron and Sam Bloom and their three boys. A near-fatal accident left Sam paralyzed during a holiday in Thailand. An injured magpie chick adopted by the Bloom family and given the name Penguin becomes central to the whole family learning to adjust, heal and celebrate life.
Grant wrote the screenplay for the recently-released thriller Berlin Syndrome starring Teresa Palmer (Hacksaw Ridge) and German-born actor Max Riemelt (Sanctuary). He also recently scripted Jasper Jones, an Aussie film starring Angourie Rice (The Nice Guys), Hugo Weaving (Hacksaw Ridge) and Toni Colette (The Yellow Birds).
Penguin Bloom is currently in development.