Jason Bateman should begin honing his legal man.
The mastermind of “The Ozark” directs “Partner,” an adaptation of John Grisham’s novel, and Tom Holland stars as a House lawyer at a white shoe law firm that pretends to be his own death in order to steal $90 million for a dangerous client. Decades ago, Grisham was sure to be at the box office. Hollywood has driven out hits adopted from novels like “Pelican Briefs,” “Farm,” “Clients,” and “Time to Kill.” The taste changed, and viewers traded legal briefs of spandex-wearing heroes in superhero adventures (a fairly good genre for the Netherlands).
Bateman is currently starring Jude Law’s opposition in the moody thriller series Black Rabbit released last month by Netflix. He directed two episodes. Bateman previously directed two feature films, Bad Words and The Family Fang, and won director Emmy for his work on “Ozark.” As an actor, his credits include “Arrested Development,” “Junho,” “The Scary Boss,” and “Identity Thief.” Bateman is hosting the popular podcast, “Smartless,” along with Arnett and Sean Hayes.
“Partner” was a bestseller when it was published in 1997. Hollywood called, but adaptation has been stagnant for years. At one point, “Blind Side” director John Lee Hancock was planning to direct the adaptation set for New Regency. It will later go to Universal and generate the current version. Graham Moore (“The Imitation Game”) wrote the script for an earlier version.
Bateman will executive produce “Partners” and Michael Costigan will produce for the full film. The Netherlands will be making the Billy 17 film with Harry Holland and Will South. Additionally, it will be produced by Jonathan Elich, while Nick Reynolds will be executive produced for rideback. Grisham and David Gernert will create executive projects.
Universal SVP of Production Development Ryan Jones and Director of Production Development Jacqueline Garell will oversee the studio’s projects.
Bateman is represented by CAA and Lighthouse Management + Media. The deadline first reported Bateman’s employment.
