Corona | Coming Attractions

DreamWorks has preemtively optioned the screen rights to I Am Number Four, a science fiction novel that has yet to find a publisher. Co-written by James Frey and a second author whose identity has not been revealed, the book is the first in a proposed six-volume series. Frey is the writer of A Million Little Pieces, a book published in 2003 that was originally promoted as being a true account of author's descent into alcohol and drug addiction and which was turned into a national bestseller by Oprah Winfrey when it was featured on her syndicated talk show. In 2006 evidence was later found that showed Frey made up his story. A second appearance on Oprah resulted in an infamous verbal dressing down of Frey by the talk show hostess.

WME, the new talent agency formed after the merging of Endeavour and William Morris, represents both Michael Bay and James Frey. When Bay approached DreamWorks with the idea of purchasing the movie rights to I Am Number Four the studio moved quickly and closed the deal earlier today. According to The Hollywood Reporter the studio paid a figure somewhere in the "high-six figures" to get the rights to the novel. Bay will be involved as a producer on the DreamWorks project and may step up as the film's director further in its development. No screenwriter has been assigned to the writing project yet.