WB Looks to Rome, Sweet Rome Pitch

The sale of Des Moines-based author James Erwin’s first screenplay pitch was accomplished via an unusual route: social news aggregator website Reddit.com. Warner Bros. bought Erwin’s pitch Rome, Sweet Rome after Reddit users voted to elevate his idea to the top of the site’s home page. The idea? Contemporary U.S. marines by some quirk of fate are transported to Ancient Rome where they are forced to contend with Roman legions. Because the Marines’ presence disrupts history’s timeline, they must set things back on course to return home. Adam Kolbrenner from Madhouse Entertainment spotted the post and contacted Erwin, a two-time Jeopardy! champ, to develop his concept for a quick sale. Kolbrenner will produce along with Hollywood Gangs Gianni Nunnari (300, Immortals). John Ridley will oversee for Hollywood Gang. Chris Gary will shepherd the project for Warner Bros. Erwin’s next book, meanwhile, is a history of U.S. military actions expected to be published next year.