The Weinstein Company (TWC) has paid what is believed to be in the region of $12m for world rights excluding Australia and New Zealand to Lion.

See-Saw Films, TWC’s partner on The King’s Speech, is producing in association with Sunstar Entertainment and Aquarius Films.

Garth Davis will direct Lion from Luke Davies’ adapted screenplay of Saroo Brierley’s novel A Long Way Home, about an adopted boy who grows up and uses Google Earth to relocate the mother he thought he had lost.

Emile Sherman, Iain Canning and Angie Fielder produce while Andrew Fraser and Shahen Mekertichian are executive producers.

Screen Australia is co-financing the film and production is scheduled for August.

TWC negotiated with Craig Emanuel of Loeb and Loeb on behalf of Cross City Sales and the producers. 

UTA represents Garth Davis and Luke Davies.