Sheryl Sandberg Signs “Lean In” Movie Deal with Sony Pictures

Yesterday, several news sources announced that Sony Pictures has made a preemptive acquisition for the film rights to Sheryl Sandberg’s book, Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead.

The 2013 best-seller by 44-year old Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg sold 140,000 copies its first week of publication and hit No. 1 on Amazon.com's best-seller list. It also spent 12 weeks on top of the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list last year.

In her book, Sandberg combines her own personal anecdotes along with data and research to analyze the reasons that a major gender disparity still exists in the workplace.

“While there are some high-risers like Sandberg, the book covered the inequities between how women and men are treated in the workplace and in leadership positions,” said Mike Fleming Jr for Deadline. “After analyzing the root causes, Sandberg offered theories and solutions on how women can shed these timeworn shackles and become better empowered in the workplace.”

The Los Angeles Times reported that the film’s story will not be a narrative of Sandberg’s life. The film will be based on the themes explored in the book, but it will not be about Sandberg, nor will she be a character in the movie.

Nell Scovell is in board to write the script. The writer has penned dozens of episodes for series TV, including Warehouse 13, NCIS, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Charmed and The Late Show with David Letterman. In addition, Scovell directed the TV movies It Was Once of Us and Haley Wagner, Star. According to Deadline, she is currently directing an episode of the MTV series Awkward and she is developing a half-hour animated show with Bento Box.

In other film news, this past weekend marked the wrap of the 20th Annual Slamdance Film Festival and awards ceremony. Check out the ScreenCraft recap of the festival here.