Macmillan is expanding the in-house book-to-film division it announced in 2010. Now called Macmillan Entertainment (as opposed to Macmillan Films), the unit, overseen by executive editor Brendan Deneen, is expanding its focus to include all titles within the company. Previously Deneen, an editor at Thomas Dunne Books, was only setting up Hollywood projects based on Thomas Dunne titles.
Macmillan Entertainment has a number of projects in various stages of development and/or production, including a film adaptation of Seth Patrick's thriller Reviver (Thomas Dunne, June 2013), which is the first in a trilogy and is with Legendary Pictures (the studio that produced The Dark Knight Rises). Another book Deneen set up for film, at MGM, is Seal Team 666 (Thomas Dunne, Nov. 2012).
Deneen, who previously worked in film development for the Weinstein brothers and Scott Rudin, will continue his current role at the unit, which entails developing potential projects in-house, as well as working with titles brought in the traditional route, via literary agents. Macmillan explained Deneen's role this way: he will "negotiate film and TV deals on [agents'] behalf and assist the creative development of existing and forthcoming Macmillan books into feature films and/or television series."
Speaking to the unit's expanded focus, Macmillan CEO John Sargent said: "While we will be selective in our projects, Macmillan Entertainment will allow us to actively pursue film and TV opportunities, and Brendan’s experience will prove valuable to both our authors and editors.”
Deneen will continue to be based out of Macmillan's New York office.
