Parton and co-author James Patterson will produce the movie version of their best-selling novel with Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon.
Looks like Dolly Parton is making the multimedia most of Run, Rose, Run.
First she co-wrote the novel — her first — with noted mystery author James Patterson. Shortly after it was published by Little, Brown and Company, Run, Rose, Run debuted in the No. 1 spot on the New York Times Best Sellers list. Parton also released a companion album of the same title — a well-received collection of songs she wrote, recorded and (with Richard Dennison and Tom Rutledge) co-produced — that hit No. 1 on the Current Country albums, American/Folk and Bluegrass charts.
And now there’s news that Parton will be starring in a feature film adaptation of Run, Rose, Run for Hello Sunshine, the media company co-founded by Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon (Walk the Line). Witherspoon is set to co-produce the film along with Parton, Patterson, and Hello Sunshine’s President of Film and Television, Lauren Neustadter.
So what’s it all about? According to the official press release announcing the cinematic venture: “Set in Nashville, Run, Rose, Run is about a young woman who comes to country music’s capital city to pursue her music-making dreams. The source of her heart-wrenching songs is a brutal secret she has tried desperately to hide, but the past she has fled is reaching out to control her future — and it may destroy everything she has worked for.”
No word yet about when production will begin, or what role Parton will play in the film.
“Growing up in Nashville,” said Witherspoon, “I’ve loved Dolly since the moment I heard her magical voice and saw her luminous personality shine onstage. Beyond her magnetic presence as an artist and performer, she is one of the greatest songwriters and storytellers of our time. Her impact knows no bounds — as a musician, actor, writer, businesswoman, activist and all-around incredible human being. Dolly Parton is not only an icon to me, but a true inspiration to women and girls everywhere.
“My admiration for her grew to even greater heights when reading Run, Rose, Run, a gripping and heartbreaking book I couldn't put down. I couldn’t feel more honored to be working alongside her and James to bring this remarkable story to the screen.”
Parton returned the compliments: “I'm proud, excited and honored to be working with my good friend Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine on the movie of Run, Rose, Run from the novel I co-wrote with James Patterson. James and I love Reese, and look forward to working with her and her wonderful team.”
“It has been a joy working with Dolly Parton on this book,” said Patterson. “It’s a great story that we are both proud of. And in partnership with Reese Witherspoon and Hello Sunshine, we will produce a great movie.”
Here is the official lyric video for “Big Dreams and Faded Jeans,” the first single from the Run, Rose, Run album.