TWENTIETH Century Fox has obtained the film rights to Maeve Binchy's novel Evening Class, and a major motion picture with an estimated budget of between $25 and $30 million is planned.
Ms Binchy's book, the story of an ill assorted group struggling to learn Italian at a twice weekly class in a Dublin school and taught with passion by an eccentric Irish woman called Signora, has been a worldwide best seller and is at present No 5 in the New York Times Best Seller List.
The film will be produced by Amy Robinson whose credits include White Palace, Once Around, After Hours and Running on Empty.
Last night Ms Binchy said that matters were indeed in the early stages. "In fact, the contract has not, yet been signed, and as a lawyer's daughter I feel almost superstition's talking about it at all. But I know that everyone involved is very keen to make this film in Ireland and I am sure it will be a great success."