Sweden’s B-Reel Films picks up TV and film rights to Andrev Walden novel

B-Reel Films’ The Pirate Bay

B-Reel Films, the Stockholm-based producer behind Midsommar and recent launch The Pirate Bay, has picked up TV and film rights to Andrev Walden’s novel Jävla Karlar (Bloody Men).

It tells the coming-of-age story of a young boy’s journey through life with a revolving door of father figures until his mother reveals that none of them are his real father. Instead, she tells him a fantastical story about his true father, a mysterious, long-haired figure living far away, sparking the boy’s imagination to believe his father is the king of a magical land.

The project, which is already in development, reunites B-Reel with the creative team from its sports biopic I Am Zlatan: director Jens Sjogren (The Pirate Bay) and scriptwriter Jakob Beckham (The Pirate Bay, Hjerson). Casting and production details will be announced in due course.

Released last year, Jävla Karlar became Sweden’s best-selling book of 2023 and also earned the country’s top literary honour, the August Prize.

B-Reel Films’ Fredrik Heinig said: “Andrev Walden’s unique storytelling resonates with audiences through its combination of personal insight, humour and a touch of magic. This story has a Swedish voice with universal appeal, and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to bring its imaginative world and characters to life.”

B-Reel’s other credits include HelikopterHeist, Tore, Thunder In My Heart and I Am Greta.

Fellow B-Reel exec Ulf Synnerholm added: “Sweden is rich with both ancient fables and modern stories that are ripe for adaptation. We believe Jävla Karlar perfectly embodies the contemporary Scandinavian voice, and we’re excited to develop it into a series that resonates with viewers across the globe.”