Film deal for Joe Hill's 'Fireman'

Fox has acquired rights to Joe Hill’s forthcoming novel The Fireman, to be published by Gollancz in May, according to film site Deadline.com.

Louis Leterrier, who last directed "Now You See Me", is said to be down to direct it. 

The novel tells of a worldwide pandemic of spontaneous combustion that can only be stopped by a group of heroes led by an enigmatic figure known as The Fireman. Millions are infected, and among them is a nurse who treated numerous sufferers. She too becomes infected by the spore which causes the burning, and finds herself in a race against time.

Temple Hill partners Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen are said to be producing the film.

Hill is the son of horror giant Stephen King; his previous works include Heart-Shaped Box and Horns (both Gollancz).