The true story behind the Seattle house that has been linked to the Pixar adventure Up is heading to the big screen, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Fox Searchlight has bought an untitled script concerning Edith Macefield, a woman who held out against developers as they built a mall around her home. It comes from John Whittington, who is working on a Netflix series based on the Dr Seuss story Green Eggs and Ham. It will be produced by Will Gluck, who directed Emma Stone in the comedy Easy A and the musical remake Annie. A director is yet to be hired.
The house became the centre of an unlikely story when the elderly Macefield stood her ground against developers who bought all the homes in the neighbourhood for redevelopment. She reportedly turned down $1m (£640,000) to continue living in her home, which had been standing for 100 years.
The comedy-drama will focus on the unlikely friendship that grew between Macefield and the superintendent of the building project. Macefield, who died in 2008, left him the house in her will.
Macefield’s story bears similarities to Pixar’s Oscar-winning hit Up, which revolved around an elderly man who refused to let developers destroy his home. Pixar have denied that the house was an inspiration, explaining its film was in the works since 2004 – two years before Macefield was approached about selling.
The house still stands and has often been covered in balloons by fans of the film. It is now owned by a nonprofit organisation. Potential buyers have been told the house is unsafe to live in and have been denied permits.
- This story was amended on 26 August. Macefield was offered the equivalent of £640,000 for her home.
