Sony cracks 'Da Vinci Code'
Goldsman to adapt novel, Howard to helm
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Pic will likely mark Sony Pictures chairman-CEO John Calley's first producing stint in his post-chieftan life when he gives up his studio duties this fall.
Goldsman will adapt the bestselling novel by Dan Brown. Grazer, Howard's Imagine Entertainment partner, will produce alongside Calley.
Pic will be Howard's next after the Russell Crowe starrer "Cinderella Man," also produced by Grazer and written by Goldsman.
Rights to "Code" and other books in Brown's series were bought by Columbia Pictures in June in a deal estimated to be north of $6 million.
Tome, which concerns clues embedded in paintings by Leonardo da Vinci that unlock secrets that cut to the core of Christianity, had been much sought after by producers since it became a publishing phenom last spring. It has been on the national bestseller list for 26 weeks, much of that time at No. 1.
Howard recently completed directing "The Missing" for Sony, Revolution and Imagine; pic will be released Nov. 19. He also has a producer credit on Imagine/Touchstone's upcoming "The Alamo," which bows Christmas day.
Goldsman wrote the screenplay for 20th Century Fox's "I, Robot," due for release next summer.
Grazer is producing several pics currently in production, including "The Incredible Shrinking Man" and "Fun With Dick and Jane," both for Sony and Imagine.
