Teton Ridge Entertainment has acquired the rights to the late Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove tetralogy. Variety reported that the deal "was made between the entertainment company and the author's estate and covers all rights except publishing, which remain with the novels' publisher, Simon and Schuster."
In a release, Teton Ridge said that development will begin with the first book in the series, Lonesome Dove, followed by Streets of Laredo, Dead Man's Walk, and Comanche Moon. The books could inspire a series of films or TV shows--or both.
Thomas Tull and Jillian Share from Teton Ridge Entertainment will produce, along with Jon Jashni; Curtis McMurtry, the author's grandson; and Diana Ossana, his long-time writing and producing partner. Lonesome Dove was previously adapted into the award-winning 1989 miniseries starring Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones.
"Lonesome Dove is an epic work that perfectly embodies the enduring spirit of the American West," Tull said. "We are immensely grateful to the McMurtry estate for partnering with Teton Ridge Entertainment to bring its timeless themes to new generations of viewers."
Share commented: "We are dedicated to bringing to life diverse stories within the western genre with authenticity and soul, and are honored that the McMurtry estate has entrusted us with what we see as one of the most important properties in entertainment history."
Curtis McMurtry noted that Lonesome Dove "has always been cinematic in scope (and indeed, began its life as a screenplay before being rewritten as a novel). I am glad that this story will once again be adapted for the screen to be experienced by new audiences and long-time fans alike."
Ossana added that "Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call are Larry McMurtry. Those characters are an amalgam of Larry the man. I cannot conceive of more passionate and fitting stewards for reimagining Larry's beloved Lonesome Dove universe than Thomas Tull and Teton Ridge Entertainment."