'Little House on the Prairie' movie news update: Paramount acquires rights to film adaptation

"Little House on the Prairie," the 1970s TV adaptation of the "Little House" book series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, might soon be shown on the big screen. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount Pictures has acquired the rights to the movie adaptation of the show. 

Although it was initially announced in 2012 that a "Little House on the Prairie" film will be made under Sony Pictures, production was shelved after Amy Pascal left her post as chairman last year, The Guardian reports. In addition, there were reportedly concerns over the $45 million allotted for the revival of the movie. Under these circumstances, Paramount stepped in to acquire the adaptation rights.

"Little House on the Prairie" is a children's novel series based on its author's childhood, and what it was like growing up in the midwest in the late 19th century. A total of nine books were published. The first eight were released from 1932 to 1943, while the last installment titled "The First Four Years" was published in 1971, 14 years after Wilder's death.

In 1974, "Little House on the Prairie" premiered on NBC as a television series and continued to air until 1983. The show starred Michael Landon (who previously appeared in "Bonanza") as Charles Ingalls, Karen Grassle as Caroline Ingalls, and Melissa Gilbert as Laura Ingalls. 

During the TV drama's 40th anniversary, the surviving cast members reunited on TODAY. Grassle, who was nostalgic after seeing the introductory clip, told TODAY: "I got tears in my eyes. First of all, I'm sitting here with these three daughters, really for the first time since [Michael Landon's] funeral [in 1991]. And then to see them come running [in the clip] ... just kills me."

For the upcoming revival, Sean Durkin is set to helm after David Gordon Green withdrew from the production. Meanwhile, Abi Morgan, who penned "The Iron Lady" and "Sufragette," will write the script. The movie is yet to cast its stars, and other details revolving the adaptation have yet to be announced.