Amazon.com is making its ambitions clear, and in its first feature-film venture, it has optioned screen rights to Keith Donohue‘s bestselling novel “The Stolen Child.” Amazon will move to secure a filmmaker and then a studio partner to turn the fantasy into a live-action feature.
One of the reasons it is doing this: to show that it can use its marketing muscle to promote a movie, both for the theatrical and DVD launch.
The deal was put together by talent agency UTA….UTA also helped with “Amazon Fishbowl With Bill Maher”, the web video series it is doing now. Donohue already appeared on that show, part of an ongoing Amazon.com campaign to propel sales of the book. With this movie release, I would think Amazon.com may try some digital downloads for this as well.
Amazon is following Starbucks’ steps, who partnered with Lionsgate for “Akeelah and the Bee”, but the coffee vendor’s efforts produced no discernible benefit for the film.