Todd Lieberman’s Hidden Pictures to adapt Warren Adler books in two-title AET deal

L-R: Jonathan Adler, Michael Adler and Todd Lieberman

Adler Entertainment Trust (AET), the LA-based production company focused on adapting the works of American author and playwright Warren Adler, has struck a two-project deal with Todd Lieberman’s prodco Hidden Pictures.

Through the agreement, the companies will develop adaptations of Adler’s Cold War thriller Trans-Siberian Express and his eight-book Fiona FitzGerald mystery novel series.

The former follows an American cancer specialist who is secretly sent to Moscow to save the Soviet Politburo chief. However, when he overhears a sinister plan to nuke China, the Russians put him on a 6,000-mile journey aboard the Trans-Siberian Express to ensure he won’t get back in time to warn the US of the imminent attack.

The Fiona FitzGerald novel series is being developed as an hour-long drama. It follows a woman born into an illustrious family of Washington DC insiders who abandons her obvious path to become a full-time detective within the DC Metro Police Department.

Both projects are being produced by Lieberman and executive produced by AET’s CEO Jonathan R Adler and creative VP Michael Adler. Hidden Pictures’ president Alex Young is helping to oversee the partnership.

Lieberman (The Fighter, The Proposal) launched Hidden Pictures in 2022 after previously running Mandeville Films with his brother David Lieberman. The latter company, which he continues to co-own, has produced movies that generated more than US$4bn at the global box office. His credits include the live-action Beauty & the Beast remake, Wonder, The Aeronauts, Stronger, The Muppets, Warm Bodies and The Proposal.

AET and Searchlight Pictures recently unveiled a first-look two-year production deal. The first project announced through the partnership is an adaptation of Warren Adler’s novel The War of the Roses, with Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman attached in the lead roles.

Warren Adler died in 2019 at the age of 91. His library of works includes 56 novels, 100 short stories and many plays.

“This exciting new partnership is a beautiful marriage of formidable production might anchored by these wonderful stories from our father’s brilliant work,” said Jonathan Adler.

“We are delighted to continue the legacy of the Warren Adler brand and Todd is the ideal producer to bring these two incredible projects to life.”