National bestselling author William Elliott Hazelgrove's novel My Best Year is taking a significant step toward the big screen, as the project now has a completed screenplay and is entering discussions for casting and financing. The announcement marks a major milestone for the book, which tells the poignant story of parents determined to give their autistic son a memorable senior year.
The screenplay was written by veteran Hollywood screenwriter Barney Cohen, known for his work on films such as WarGames and Better Off Dead. The project was brokered by Allan Graffman and Rosebud Productions, with Cohen and The Ivan Group involved in developing the property. Ekkle, a faith-oriented film production company, has approved the screenplay and is actively involved in discussions concerning financing, casting, and production.
My Best Year follows Paul and Julie Clampet, parents who refuse to accept that their autistic son, Toby, should miss out on the quintessential high school experience. After Toby is expelled from his school, they discover a struggling school in Indiana and rally its teachers and students to help give Toby a year filled with milestones: a winning touchdown, a place in the homecoming parade, and a date to the homecoming dance. The novel is described as funny, poignant, and uplifting, exploring themes of family, acceptance, and the lengths parents will go to ensure their child feels included.
Hazelgrove expressed his excitement about the adaptation, stating, "The story has always been about parents refusing to accept that their son should have to stand on the sidelines of life. Seeing that story move toward the screen is tremendously exciting."
The production team is considering a range of budgets, depending on the talent ultimately attached to the project. Casting decisions are expected to play a crucial role in determining the scale of the production, with discussions already underway.
Hazelgrove is the author of numerous novels and narrative nonfiction works, receiving starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Booklist. His writing has been featured in prominent outlets such as The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, USA Today, and on NPR and C-SPAN. Several of his books have been optioned for film and television, and he served as the Ernest Hemingway Writer-in-Residence, writing in the attic of Hemingway's birthplace in Oak Park, Illinois.
The move toward production is a testament to the universal appeal of the story, which resonates with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. As the project advances, audiences can anticipate a film that celebrates the power of community and the unwavering love of parents.
