EXCLUSIVE: Screenwriter J S Mayank has been tapped by producers Kate Cohen, Alexander Vesely and Tony Robbins to affix Oscar nominee and Bafta winner Lesley Paterson (All Quiet on the Western Entrance) in writing the function adaptation of Viktor Frankl‘s basic treatise, Man’s Seek for Which means.
Paterson had been writing the script along with her husband and writing companion Simon Marshall, as was Deadline reported a 12 months in the past. On the time, Marshall had been identified with pancreatic most cancers.
He died in June.
After taking a while to regroup and grieve, the filmmaking staff undertook a seek for somebody to staff up with Paterson.
“Discovering a writing companion who may perceive and help me on this journey whereas on the identical time servicing this masterpiece felt like an unimaginable ask,” Paterson stated. “J S has stepped into this function seamlessly, and I’m so honored and relieved to have teamed up with him. Man’s Seek for Which means’s profoundly vital message meant a lot to my husband Simon.”
Printed in 1946 and translated into 50 languages with greater than 16 million copies offered, Frankl’s account follows his time within the Nazi focus camps and his exploration of the human will to seek out that means regardless of unspeakable adversity.
“Shedding Simon was a profound loss — he was an irreplaceable a part of our staff,” producer Cohen stated. “Discovering the appropriate author to collaborate with Lesley was a problem, however I knew it needed to be somebody who couldn’t solely do justice to this extraordinary story but in addition carry a singular synergy to the partnership. I’ve admired J S for years, first recognizing his expertise once I was a decide on the Tribeca Movie Competition, and I at all times knew our paths would cross creatively.”
Added Mayank: “Man’s Seek for Which means is a timeless work, however its message feels extra pressing than ever in a world grappling with uncertainty and a disaster of that means. It’s a privilege to work alongside Lesley and JS to carry this important story to the display screen.
“I first learn Man’s Seek for Which means once I was 19 years previous,” he added. “Viktor Frankl’s phrases haven’t solely formed me as a author and an artist however as a human being. Having the chance to adapt his seminal work is a dream come true. Including to the serendipity, Kate Cohen was my first mentor once I was a Tribeca fellow. We’ve had a terrific working relationship ever since, and bringing life full circle, I’m past honored to affix this staff alongside producers Alex Vesely and Tony Robbins.
“Most of all, ever since my first dialog with Lesley, I knew the 2 of us would make a terrific pairing,” Mayank continued. “Writing with Lesley is a delight, and we can not wait to work collectively to carry Viktor Frankl’s story and philosophies to cinematic life.”
Paterson co-wrote and served as an EP on Edward Berger’s adaptation of the basic WWI novel All Quiet on the Western Entrance, which introduced Netflix 4 Oscars together with Greatest Worldwide Characteristic from 9 nominations on the ninety fifth Academy Awards. Paterson gained a Greatest Tailored Screenplay BAFTA for her work, sharing it with co-writers Ian Stokell and Berger. Paterson is represented by CAA, Principal Leisure and Felker Toczek Suddleson.
Cohen’s producing credit embody Transcendence, starring Johnny Depp, and Gavin O’Connor’s western Jane Obtained a Gun, starring Natalie Portman and Ewan McGregor. She has two movies set for launch this 12 months as an government producer: Deep Water, starring Ben Kingsley and Aaron Eckhart, and the thriller Midnight, that includes Milla Jovovich and Rosario Dawson. Additionally on her upcoming slate is Joseph Merrick, based mostly on the lifetime of the individual often called The Elephant Man, in partnership with Mike Medavoy.
Mayank most lately offered an unique medical procedural drama to ABC, in addition to the drama procedural Peculiar, produced by Eric Christian Olsen’s Cloud 9 (Matlock) to CBS. He additionally directed, co-wrote and show-ran the six-part scripted audio collection America 2.0. Mayank has been a Tribeca fellow, a Sony Numerous Writers fellow and a Rideback Rise Circle member. He’s repped by Tradition Artistic, Bellevue and Donaldson Callif Perez.
