Renée Zellweger is helming the adaptation of James Patterson’s novel at Max

Renée Zellweger is attached to star in a series adaptation of the novel “12 Months to Live” currently in development at Max, Variety has learned.

The project is currently called ‘Jane Smith’, named after the novel’s main character, which Zellweger will play. The book was written by James Patterson and Mike Lupica, and Miki Johnson would adapt it for the big screen and serve as showrunner. The novel was originally published in September 2023 and the second novel in the series, ‘Hard to Kill’, will be released on July 29.

The official description for the series states that it is “centered on a brilliant, tough, and darkly funny lawyer in the Hamptons. Until now, all Jane wanted was to win; However, her world is completely turned upside down when, on the eve of the biggest case of her career, she is diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. As the investigation becomes more dangerous and deeply personal, Jane refuses to let her death sentence stop her from solving this case.”

In addition to writing and showrunning, Johnson is also an executive producer of the series. Zellweger will executive produce under the Big Picture Co banner alongside Carmela Casinelli. Patterson will executive produce for James Patterson Entertainment along with Bill Robinson and Patrick Santa. David E. Kelley is executive producer with Matthew Tinker and Checka Propper of David E. Kelley Productions. David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Matt Thunell are executive producers for Skydance Television. The series is produced by Skydance TV and MGM Television. · Big Picture Co. currently has a first-look agreement with MGM Television.

“Jane Smith” is part of Skydance TV’s deal with Patterson, under which they are developing a series of series based on his books. Next up under the deal, Amazon will debut the series “Cross” starring Aldis Hodge, based on Patterson’s Alex Cross novels, on Prime Video beginning Nov. 14. Skydance also produces book-to-series adaptations such as “Reacher,” “Foundation,” and “Jack Ryan.”

Zellweger is a two-time Academy Award winner: one for Best Supporting Actress for “Cold Mountain” and one for Best Actress for “Judy.” She was also nominated for her roles in both ‘Chicago’ and ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’. She is also a four-time Golden Globe winner for “Cold Mountain,” “Chicago,” “Nurse Betty” and “Judy.” She made her regular television debut with the Netflix series “What/If” and recently starred in the true crime limited series “The Thing About Pam” on NBC.

She is represented by CAA, John Carrabino Management and imPRint.

Johnson recently collaborated with Kelley on the Apple TV+ series “Presumed Innocent.” Kelley developed the series for television, with Johnson serving as co-executive producer. Her other credits include “Ozark,” “Hell on Wheels” and “Ray Donovan.” She is represented by CAA and Jackoway Austen Tyerman.