Laura Sobiech’s inspirational book “Fly a Little Higher” to get film treatment

PanARMENIAN.Net - Warner Bros. has acquired movie rights to Laura Sobiech’s inspirational book “Fly a Little Higher”, which focuses on her late son Zach Sobiech, Variety reports.

“Jane the Virgin” star Justin Baldoni is attached to direct and produce and Casey LaScala will adapt with Patrick Kopka and co-produce. Cate Adams overseeing for Warner Bros., which has titled the film “Clouds” after Zach Sobiech’s farewell song.

Zach Sobiech, who had a rare form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma, wrote “Clouds” to his family and friends before he died in May 2013, shortly after turning 18. The funds generated by sales of his music went to fund research of osteosarcoma, which occurs mainly in teens and adolescents.

“Maybe someday I’ll see you again,” he sang. “We’ll fly up in the clouds and we’ll never see the end.”

Sobiech recorded “Clouds” and released it as a YouTube video in December 2012. It had surpassed 3 million views at the time of his death and currently has more than 12 million views.

His mother’s memoir “Fly a Little Higher: How God Answered a Mom’s Small Prayer in a Big Way” was released in 2014.

Baldoni created the digital documentary series, “My Last Days,”produced through his production outfit Wayfarer Entertainment. Zach Sobiech’s story was the final episode of the first season, which aired on SoulPancake’s YouTube channel. To date, the episode has garnered more than 14 million views.

The movie rights deal was made by Shari Smiley of at the Gotham Group, on behalf of Jacqueline Flynn at Joelle Delbourgo Associates. Eric Robinson of Gotham Group manages Baldoni, LaScala and Kopka. Liz York manages Baldoni as well.