Uma Thurman Buys Film Rights to The Swarm

Posted on May 29, 2006

The Associated Press is reporting that Uma Thurman has purchased the film right's to Frank Schaetzing's The Swarm. The book is an ecological thriller that was extremely popular in Germany. It also became an international bestseller.

The ecological thriller dominated Germany's bestseller lists for nearly a year and was translated into 18 languages.
Thurman, along with Ica and Michael Souvignier, plans to shoot the movie at several international locations, Kiepenheuer & Witsch publishers said in Cologne.
"Several big-name studios and producers have pitched for the stuff in the past few years," Schaetzing said. "For me, Uma, Ica and Michael are the ideal constellation for an international film success. We have the same vision."

Based on the book's description it could be a very exciting film.

Whales begin sinking ships. Toxic, eyeless crabs poison Long Island's water supply. The North Sea shelf collapses, killing thousands in Europe. Around the world, countries are beginning to feel the effects of the ocean's revenge as the seas and their inhabitants begin a violent revolution against mankind. In this riveting novel, full of twists, turns, and cliffhangers, a team of scientists discovers a strange, intelligent life force called the Yrr that takes form in marine animals, using them to wreak havoc on humanity for our ecological abuses. Soon a struggle between good and evil is in full swing, with both human and suboceanic forces battling for control of the waters. At stake is the survival of the Earth's fragile ecology-and ultimately, the survival of the human race itself.

Uma is probably hoping the film could be a box office hit along the lines of The Day After Tomorrow.