Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg gets her own movie deal
The deal with Sony Pictures means the social network's leading lady will be leaning into more fame.
Forty-four-year-old Sheryl Sandberg has already had the type of career most women (and men) can only dream of, but the Facebook chief operating officer, successful author, and newly minted billionaire isn't ready to lean back. Quite the opposite, actually. Facebook's leading lady is leaning into even more fame as Sony Pictures has acquired the film rights to her book, "Lean In."
"Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead," Sandberg's best-selling book, was published last March as an inspirational text meant to motivate women to work to the top of their industries, as opposed to bowing out when kids enter the picture.
Sony Pictures President Hannah Minghella was the driving force behind the deal, according to Deadline Hollywood, which was first to report the news. CNET has confirmed that the LeanIn.org foundation, which technically owns the rights to Sandberg's book, licensed the name to Sony. All proceeds from the licensing deal will go to the foundation, and not to Sandberg.
As for the movie script, Sandberg's "Lean In" writing partner, Nell Scovell will be penning the narrative, which will be less about chronicling Sandberg's life and more about the themes dissected in the book. Scovell is currently directing an episode of MTV's "Awkward," as well as developing a half-hour animated show with Bento Box.
Sony Pictures was the same studio that made the critically acclaimed, but Facebook-disdained hit film, "The Social Network." Something tells us Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and crew won't be as opposed to this particular flick.
Update, 12:56 p.m. PT: With additional details and confirmation that Sony has licensed the rights to "Lean In" from the foundation.