Grisham novel heading to big screen

A big screen adaptation of John Grisham's 2007 novel Playing for Pizza is in the pipeline.

Phoenix Pictures has acquired the movie rights to the bestselling book, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The story revolves around a down-and-out American football player who discovers a new lease of life when his agent lands him a deal to play with a semi-professional team in Italy.

Previous Grisham adaptations include The Firm, The Client, The Pelican Brief, The Chamber, A Time To Kill and Runaway Jury.

George Clooney's Smokehouse production company is currently developing the author's only non-fiction work The Innocent Man.