1 December 2009
Scandinavian major Svensk Filmindustri has acquired rights to the Swedish best-selling crime novel The Hypnotist by writing duo Alexandra Coelho Ahndoril and husband Alexander Ahndoril, known under the pseudonym of Lars Kepler.
Published earlier this year in Sweden, the novel fast became number one of the book charts and has now been sold to over 30 territories. The Hypnotist is the first book in a planned series featuring Inspector Joona Linna. The film adaptation will be produced by Svensk Filmindustri's Börje Hansson, in co-production with Peter Possne - photo - (Sonet Film). Filming is schedule to start in 2010-2011.
SF has also optioned rights on the second novel in the series to be published next year. "The Hypnotist is a very thrilling and cinematically told story with a lot of suspense, and I am convinced that the film will be fantastic, said Tobias Lennér, managing director for Svensk Filmindustri in Sweden.