Harvey Weinstein is working his magic to bring “The Alchemist” to the bigscreen more than a decade after author Paolo Coelho sold the film rights to his bestselling novel. Production on the $60 million project is set to start late spring with Weinstein personally producing for the Weinstein Co., which will also handle worldwide sales. Laurence Fishburne acquired the feature rights with indie banner A-Mark Entertainment from Warner Bros. Fishburne is still attached to direct, star and produce although Weinstein will be bringing in a new writer, reportedly an Oscar-winning scribe, to deliver a fresh draft of the script. “The Lord of the Rings” producer Barrie Osborne has, however, ankled the project. He had been due to co-produce with Fishburne and Helen Sugland while the project had been set at A-Mark. Weinstein is believed to have acquired the film rights from Fishburne and A-Mark for just under $3 million. Weinstein Co. refused to comment on the size of the deal, which was brokered by Paradigm Motion Picture Finance Group, who also rep Fishburne. Move is something of a coup for Weinstein, who was in an ebullient mood at the Cannes confab announcing the deal. (via Variety)

chase you dreams, live life to the fullest, and don't let fear dictate your choices. take paulo's advice and find your personal legend ;)

if you haven't read it yet...do. its a truly beautiful and spiritual journey told in the simplest of stories. an incredibly easy read yet totally profound at the same time. (via amazon.com)

Buy the original Portuguese version... you'll look cooler

The Alchemist is an inspiring page turner about a shepherd boy named Santiago who has a dream and visits a fortune teller to ask her to interpret it for him. She tells him he is going to find treasure and that, if he promises to give her 1/10 of this treasure, she will interpret his dream. He accepts, and thus begins his journey from Andalusia to Africa, across the Sahara, to Egypt to reach the Pyramids, while learning the importance of being open to omens, as well as how to interpret them and how to use that knowledge to keep to one's path, which Coelho calls a person's "Personal Legend."

One of the best books I've ever read, The Alchemist is a story of a shepherd who leaves everything behind to travel the world. It's a literary reminder that the possibilities in our lives are endless if we just take the plunge and follow our dreams. Normally I would have thought this kind of book was a bit corny ("inspirational" "evocative" blah blah) but I recommend everyone read The Alchemist. (via The Strand)