Pheonix Pictures to adapt Ray Bradbury's 'Dandelion Way"

Acclaimed author Ray Bradbury is partnering with Phoenix Pictures to adapt his 1957 auto-biographical novel "Dandelion Wine" into a feature film.

The book was published in 1957.

Mike Medavoy and Doug McKay, vice-president of production at Phoenix Pictures, have teamed up with Bradbury, RGI Productions’ Rodion Nahapetov--who is penning the screenplay--and producer Natasha Shliapnikoff to produce the adaptation.

Bradbury, who turns 91 on Monday remarked, “This is the best birthday gift I could ask for. Today, I have been reborn! ‘Dandelion Wine’ is my most deeply personal work and brings back memories of sheer joy as well as terror. This is the story of me as a young boy and the magic of an unforgettable summer which still holds a mystical power over me.”

“I was deeply honored when Ray Bradbury chose me to write the screenplay adaptation for his novel ‘Dandelion Wine,’" Nahapetov  said. "When I began my studies at the Cinema Institute in Moscow, many foreign books were banned in Soviet Russia. Still, I decided to make my short film based upon “Dandelion Wine” because this novel represented to me the childhood I never had. My childhood had been stolen by the ravages and destruction of post World War II Russia and 'Dandelion Wine' restored it back for me.”

Medavoy recently produced Martin Scorsese’s "Shutter Island" as well as "Black Swan," which won numerous awards including an Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Actress Natalie Portman. He is currently in production on the high-concept comedy “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” (starring Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez), which McKay is co-producing.

“Doug McKay was very instrumental in getting this project launched,” said Bradbury.

Ray Bradbury’s iconic writing, which includes "Dandelion Wine," "Martian Chronicles" (also set for adaptation) and Farenheit 451," has won awards including: The World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement, and most recently, The Commander of Arts and Letters Award from the French government. Bradbury has also received The National Medal of Arts (the highest award from the American government) and an Emmy for the animated version of his novel “Halloween Tree.” Ray Bradbury was also nominated for an Academy Award for his screenplay "Moby Dick."