Zac Efron to topline adaptation of John Grisham's “The Associate”

PanARMENIAN.Net - Zac Efron will produce and star in a new adaptation of John Grisham's The Associate, The Hollywood Reporter said.

Grisham's legal thriller was originally published on January 27, 2009. The story follows a Yale Law School grad (Efron) who is blackmailed by a group of criminals. He's told he must take a job at the world’s largest law firm, where he'll be spying on their work in a dispute between two powerful defense contractors worth billions.

Efron will produce via his Ninja's Runnin Wild banner (That Awkward Moment), and Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher (the producers behind the recent YA hit Divergent) will produce through Red Wagon Entertainment. Michael Simkin and Nicki Cortese will oversee development.

Sources say the producers are currently attaching a writer before bringing the package into studios.

Efron gained fame when he starred in the High School Musical franchise, and has expanded his work to include comedies like his most recent film, That Awkward Moment, which his Ninja's Runnin Wild produced. Also taking on more dramatic roles in The Lucky One and The Paperboy, Efron will next be seen in Seth Rogen-starring comedy Neighbors.

Grisham's The Associate was set up at Paramount back in 2008, with Shia LaBeouf attached to star. Previous adaptation of Grisham's books include The Firm, The Pelican Brief, The Client, A Time to Kill, The Rainmaker and The Runaway.