Warner Bros Buys Rights to NZer’s Book with Bradley Cooper to Star

A crime drama based on an upcoming book by New Zealander Ben Sanders called American Blood, has been purchased by Warner Brothers and will star Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper who will also produce.

At least one other studio had bid on the project (which is currently a partial manuscript), and several TV companies had also expressed interest.

The story follows Marshall Grade, an NYPD officer turned mob informant, who, while living in the witness protection program in New Mexico, is pulled into a dangerous investigation involving a missing woman.

Sanders published his first book, Fallen, at age 20. The book was a best-seller in his native country, and he went on to write two others – By Any Means and Only the Dead.

Now 24 years old, Sanders will make his US debut with American Blood, which is slated for autumn 2015 via MacMillan. American Blood is likely the first in a series of books, which means there’s franchise potential for the films.

Original article by Rebecca Ford, Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, February 24, 2014.

Photo by AP Images.