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This is a joint press release from ´óÏó´«Ã½ Films and Origin Pictures

David Thompson's production company Origin Pictures, together with ´óÏó´«Ã½ Films, has secured film rights to William Boyd's new novel Ordinary Thunderstorms prior to its publication in September.

The book, which Boyd will adapt himself, is a highly compelling thriller set against the backdrop of a huge drug-testing conspiracy, where an ordinary man is accused of a crime he didn't commit and has to evade the powers that want him dead.

A frantic cat-and-mouse chase around London ensues as he is forced to find ways of staying alive against all odds.

"It's a hugely exciting proposition," says David Thompson, "and very rare to come across a big London-set thriller that is both sophisticated and unpredictable in equal measure.

"We're thrilled to be working with Will and the ´óÏó´«Ã½, and are itching to get on and make this film!"

Jane Wright, Managing Director and Executive Producer at ´óÏó´«Ã½ Films, says: "We've long been fans of William's work and it's fantastic to be collaborating with him and Origin on this particularly vivid project."

The project was brought in by Ed Rubin, Head of Development at Origin. Stephen Durbridge at The Agency negotiated Boyd's deal with Origin and the ´óÏó´«Ã½.

William Boyd has received worldwide acclaim for his novels which include The Blue Afternoon, Any Human Heart and spy thriller Restless, which won the Costa Novel of the Year award in 2006.

His screenwriting credits include Chaplin, The Trench (which he also directed) and adaptations of his own novels A Good Man In Africa and Armadillo.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be working with David, Origin and ´óÏó´«Ã½ Films," says Boyd.

"A completely perfect combination, as far as I'm concerned, and I look forward enormously to our collaboration on Ordinary Thunderstorms."

JB3