Relativity and Nicholas Sparks Reunite For His Bestselling Novel The Best of Me

The Best of Me Builds Upon Previous Success Between Relativity and Sparks; 2013’s Safe Haven Has Grossed Over $96 Million Worldwide

(Beverly Hills, Calif.) July 25, 2013 – Relativity announced today that is has acquired the worldwide rights to finance, produce and distribute The Best of Me based on the bestselling novel by acclaimed author Nicholas Sparks. The Best of Me continues the strong relationship between Relativity and Sparks and marks their third project together. Relativity released Safe Haven on February 14, 2013 and the film has grossed more than $96 million in worldwide box office to date. Previously, Relativity developed, produced and financed Dear John which grossed over $114 million worldwide.

Michael Hoffman (The Last Station, The Emperor’s Club) is directing The Best of Me and is re-writing J. Mills Goodloe’s (Maverick) adaptation with Will Fetters (The Lucky One). Denise DiNovi (Batman Returns), Nicholas Sparks and his producing partner Theresa Park are producing the film along with Relativity CEO Ryan Kavanaugh.

Robbie Brenner, President of Production at Relativity, who is overseeing the project for the studio, said: “Relativity is excited to build upon our strong relationship with Nicholas Sparks. Nicholas is one of the most creative and talented authors in the world and in The Best of Me he tells a deeply moving and unforgettable story. We look forward to working with Nicholas, Michael, Will and the entire team on bringing The Best of Me to the big screen.”

Nicholas Sparks said: “Needless to say, I’m delighted to work with the talented people at Relativity once again – each experience with them has only deepened my respect and admiration for their forward-looking, collaborative approach to film production and marketing, not to mention my personal friendships with their gifted team.”

Based on the bestselling novel by acclaimed author Nicholas Sparks, The Best of Me tells the story of Dawson and Amanda, two former high school sweethearts who find themselves reunited after 20 years apart, when they return to their small town for the funeral of the beloved friend.  Their bittersweet reunion reignites the love they’ve never forgotten, but soon they discover the forces that drove them apart twenty years ago live on, posing even more serious threats today. Spanning decades, this epic love story captures the enduring power of our first true love, and the wrenching choices we face when confronted with elusive second chances.

Nicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. All of his books have been New York Times bestsellers, with over 90 million copies sold worldwide, in more than 50 languages, including over 60 million copies in the United States alone, and his popularity continues to soar. Eight of Nicholas Sparks’s novels have thus far been adapted for film. Together The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John, The Last Song and Safe Haven have achieved a cumulative worldwide gross of over three-quarters of a billion dollars. In 2012, Sparks and his publishing agent and creative partner Theresa Park, launched Nicholas Sparks Productions, a film and television production company, with Park as President of Production.