Shark attack tale sold for movie

The story of shark attack survivor Bethany Hamilton has been featured in newspapers, magazines and on TV shows. Now it’s headed to the big screen.

Romano/Shane Productions of Los Angeles has bought the film rights for the Hawaiian teen’s biography, “Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family and Fighting to Get Back on the Board,” scheduled for publication this fall.

The 14-year-old from Princeville, on Kauai, was thrust into the spotlight after losing her left arm in a shark attack Oct. 31.

Romano/Shane Productions paid Hamilton an undisclosed amount for the film rights. Michel Shane, partner Anthony Romano and Roy Hofstetter, Hamilton’s representative, will produce the project with financier Hand Picked Films.

“If everything goes according to plan, we’ll be in production early next year in Hawaii,” said Shane, who was not sure if filming would be done on Oahu or Kauai.