Screenwriter John August read a manuscript of the novel six months before it was published and convinced Columbia Pictures to acquire the rights. August began adapting the novel while producers negotiated with Steven Spielberg who planned to direct after finishing "Minority Report" (2002). Spielberg considered Jack Nicholson for the role of Edward Bloom, but eventually dropped the project to focus on "Catch Me If You Can" (2002). Tim Burton and Richard D. Zanuck took over after completing "Planet of the Apes" (2001) and brought Ewan McGregor and Albert Finney on board.