10 Million Dollar Cornwell Move Will Bring Scarpetta to the Screen

Patricia Cornwell’s upcoming move from Penguin to HarperCollins might have as much to do with getting fictional medical examiner Dr. Kay Scarpetta to the screen as it does with the reported $10 million the author will see for signing up for a two-book deal. From The Hollywood Reporter:

The deal is part of a renewed effort to finally get a Scarpetta movie into theaters. Elizabeth Gabler, president of Fox 2000, which is developing the film, played an influential role in the move to sister company HarperCollins, according to all parties involved.   In the statement announcing the publishing deal, Gabler said, "One of our greatest priorities is to begin production on the film as soon as possible." She hopes to have a movie in theaters in 2015.  Michael Morrison, the president and publisher of the General Books Group at HarperCollins, said his imprint had "good synergy" with Fox 2000, pointing to their work together on 2008's Marley & Me. "Knowing that Elizabeth and her team were high on [a Scarpetta film] definitely influenced our acquiring the books."

There is no mystery as to who will play the woman who has been the heroine of 21 of the popular novelist’s books:

Angelina Jolie has been attached to play Scarpetta since 2009 and as recently as December 2011 Cornwell reaffirmed Jolie's role. "If all the other pieces … fit together to make sure everyone’s happy with it," she said, the actress will play her popular character, adding, "It's looking hopeful."