Rescued Pirate Captive Closes Book Deal

Hyperion Books has reportedly won the auction for a book by Captain Richard Phillips, the ship captain held hostage by Somalian pirates and rescued by the Navy.

According to Crain’s NY, unnamed “publishing sources” say the final bid was around $500,000. Neither Hyperion nor Phillips’ agency commented on the deal. Last week, Columbia Pictures picked up the story for a film, the producers include Kevin Spacey and Scott Rudin.

Here’s more from the article: “According to sources, CAA–which represented Mr. Phillips for both the movie and book deals–had expected to field considerably higher offers for the memoir. Depressed book sales and possibly hero fatigue following a $3 million deal for Capt. Chesley Sullenberger‘s memoirs may have played a role in the lower price tag.” (Via HuffPo)

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