Tom Holland is set to star in a film adaptation of John Grisham’s The Partner, reports Deadline.
Grisham’s novel, published in 1997 by Doubleday, follows Patrick Lanigan, a lawyer who stole $90 million of dirty money from his firm and absconded to Brazil. He’s brought back to Mississippi to stand trial, and prepares to expose a series of secrets. In a starred review, a critic for Kirkus wrote, “Grisham comes up with a masterfully bittersweet end (with his title taking on a sly double edge) that may be his most satisfying ever.”
Holland, known for his role as Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, as well as for movies including Cherry and Uncharted, will play Lanigan in the film. Jason Bateman, the Arrested Development and Ozark actor, will direct; he previously helmed the films Bad Words and The Family Fang. The screenplay is written by Graham Moore (The Imitation Game, The Outfit). Bateman and Grisham are among the film’s executive producers.
Grisham’s books have been adapted for the screen many times before. His blockbuster novel The Firm formed the basis for a 1993 film directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Tom Cruise and Jeanne Tripplehorn, while his debut, A Time to Kill, was adapted into a 1996 movie directed by Joel Schumacher and starring Sandra Bullock, Samuel L. Jackson, and Matthew McConaughey. There have also been film adaptations of The Pelican Brief, The Client, and The Chamber.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
