Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 15, 2026
William Elliott Hazelgrove's Books Optioned for Film by Rosebud
TLDR
- Rosebud Productions has optioned five William Elliott Hazelgrove books for film, giving the author a major competitive edge in Hollywood.
- Rosebud Productions formed by William Elliott Hazelgrove and Allan Grafman is developing five books into films with screenplays completed and producers attached.
- These five film projects will bring inspiring stories of family, history, and perseverance to audiences, enriching lives and fostering empathy.
- William Elliott Hazelgrove's books, including Real Santa and Dead Air, are being adapted into films, offering a diverse mix of holiday comedy and historical suspense.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it demonstrates the growing demand for adaptable, high-concept stories that bridge literature and visual media. Hazelgrove's portfolio offers a rare mix of historical intrigue, family drama, and holiday cheer, appealing to broad audiences. For readers, it means beloved books may soon become must-watch films; for the industry, it highlights the value of proven intellectual property and the power of strategic partnerships like Rosebud Productions. As streaming platforms and studios seek fresh, engaging content, Hazelgrove's diverse slate could set a new benchmark for literary adaptations.
Summary
National bestselling author William Elliott Hazelgrove is expanding his literary footprint into Hollywood, with five of his books now under option or in active development for film through Rosebud Productions, the company he formed with executive producer Allan Grafman. The diverse slate ranges from historical drama to family entertainment, signaling a major push to bring Hazelgrove's storytelling to screens big and small.
The projects include Real Santa, a Christmas novel about a father's elaborate plan to prove Santa's existence to his doubting daughter, which is set as the debut live-action film from TaleSphere Studios, the venture launched by AETH Entertainment and Kartoon Studios, with a screenplay already completed. My Best Year is an inspirational family drama about parents Paul and Julie Clampet searching for a school that will give their autistic son Toby the senior year he deserves; veteran screenwriter Barney Cohen penned the feature screenplay. Dead Air: The Night Orson Welles Terrified America, Hazelgrove's acclaimed nonfiction account of the infamous 1938 'War of the Worlds' broadcast, is being produced by Aimée Peyronnet (The Lovely Bones) and has been optioned with a screenplay finished. Morristown: The Kidnapping of George Washington uncovers a secret British plot to abduct the general during the American Revolution, while Capone's Vault: The Biggest Disaster in Television revisits Geraldo Rivera's notorious 1986 live special. Both are optioned by producer Sidney Sherman and The Thornton Brothers, with screenplays completed.
Hazelgrove emphasized the common thread: 'These five projects could not be more different, but each begins with the same thing—a remarkable story and characters facing an extraordinary moment.' Grafman added that the portfolio's breadth—spanning history, suspense, family drama, comedy, and holiday entertainment—makes it unusually versatile, with all projects being highly visual, character-driven stories. Hazelgrove's prior screen development includes Madam President: The Secret Presidency of Edith Wilson, which won a 2017 PAGE International Screenwriting Award. With ten novels and fourteen nonfiction works to his name, Hazelgrove's move to film marks a significant new chapter in his career.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content distributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, William Elliott Hazelgrove's Books Optioned for Film by Rosebud
