Criminal Minds writer Virgil Williams will write the film adaptation of 'Mudbound'

                                        picture @CM_SetReport


by Dave McNary

State Street Pictures and MMC Joule Films are heading to Mississippi, teaming to produce a feature version of Hillary Johnson's novel "Mudbound."

The banners have tapped Virgil Williams, a consulting producer and writer on CBS' "Criminal Minds," to pen the film adaptation in his feature screenwriting debut.

Set in rural Mississippi shortly after World War II, the story tracks six alternating voices representing two families, one black and one white, as they deal with racism, misperception and human weakness, even as they ultimately strive for love and honor. Mudbound won a 2009 Alex Award from the American Library Association as well as the 2006 Bellwether Prize for fiction,

George Tillman and Bob Teitel will produce for State Street while Sally Jo Effenson and Carl Effenson will produce for MMC Joule Films.

State Street is in pre-production on "The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete," which Tillman will direct with Teitel producing. The indie, which follows two kids struggling to survive without their parents over a hot summer in the projects in New York City, will be shot this summer.

MMC Joule Films' debut feature "Hide Away," starring Josh Lucas, Ayelet Zurer and James Cromwell, will open May 25. Williams' credits include "ER," "24" and "Chicago Code."

State Street, Williams and Jordan are represented by CAA. Williams is also represented by attorneys PJ Shapiro and Matt Johnson of Ziffren Brittenham LLP. Jordan is also represented by The Gernert Co.

Source Variety