Horn of Africa film option

I signed today, April 11, 2015, a film option with Stephen Altman and David Levy for my first novel, Horn of Africa., published in 1980. This novel has a long history in Hollywood (which I use as a generic term for the movie industry). It was optioned by Michael Douglas’s production company for six years back in the late 80s to early 90s, and was an “almost” with Paramount Productions years ago. Almost, of course, counts only in horseshoes and hand grenades.Hoping for a bullseye this time around. For the uninitiated, an option only means that the Purchaser, in this case Altman and Levy, holds the rights to a book for a certain period of time, during which they will attempt to bring it to the screen by signing up a director, a lead actor, a studio, a screenwriter, or all four. The journey from option to finished film is thus long and fraught with obstacles.

7 Comments

Dennis Croce on June 16, 2018 at 8:36 pm

My favorite novel of all time. I always thought it would make a great movie. I would love to see this come to be. I have read all of your books and they were all great but Horn of Africa is my absolute favorite. Good luck with the project Mr. Caputo!

Reg Burch on June 27, 2015 at 4:43 pm

Just read Rumor of War, Ghosts of Tsavo and 13 minutes: Kent State–
I spent 8 years within the Horn of Africa+ with ICRC and UNICEF/UNDP. Your “Horn of Africa” is next. I read a book called “The Hill Fights: the First battle of Khe Sanh” and having served in the Marine Infantry I cannot believe how the brass from the commandant down to even E-9s denied the jamming problem of the first M-16s, blaming it on Marines not cleaning their rifles. Just angers me beyond reason.

Thanks for you work. It gives a clear head.
Reggie Burch

Mike Beltran on June 15, 2015 at 11:14 pm

I’ve read everything you’ve published and Horn Of Africa is, by far, my favorite of your novels.