Back in May, we brought you news of J.R.R. Tolkien’s estate settling with author Steve Hillard on his book, Mirkwood, that featured a fictionalized version of the iconic author of The Lord of the Rings. Hillard argued that his novel is an exercise in literary criticism, which is protected by the First Amendment, about the lack of female characters in Tolkien’s work. The author and Tolkien’s estate came to a settlement with a disclaimer applied to the book distancing Tolkien’s estate from the work of fiction and tHiHihe book was given a greenlight to go ahead.

THR reports that Hillard’s Mirkwood is now heading to the big screen with Emo Films. Emo’s Joel Eisenberg and Timothy Owens are onboard to executive produce the film. Hillard explained the direction the adaptation will take:

 “The adaptation of Mirkwood will follow the template of the novel, but will delve considerably deeper into Tolkien’s little-known back story, such as his original plans to become a codebreaker in World War II up through the writing of his enduring works.”

Here is a little about the book itself:

Enter Mirkwood, the Great Forest of Doubt Bold new author Steve Hillard’s wildly original debut, Mirkwood, re-invents J.R.R. Tolkien as a man haunted by the very myths he rewove into his famous works. As much literary criticism as boisterous epic, this episodically-driven plot explores the blurred borderlands where ancient tales, lost heroines, and epic journeys are stalked by dim monsters that will not be still. In 1970, Professor Tolkien makes a little-known visit to America-and sets in motion elvish powers embodied in a cache of archaic documents. Destinies are altered, legends become real, and two heroines must race for their lives in vastly different worlds.

Pick up a copy of Mirkwood from Amazon today.

[AMAZONPRODUCT=0615312543]