Apple Plans TV Adaptation of Gregory David Roberts' Novel 'Shantaram'

shantaramFollowing yesterday's news that Apple is partnering with producer J.J. Abrams on a show called "Little Voices," Variety today reports that Apple has now landed the TV adaptation rights to Gregory David Roberts' 2003 novel "Shantaram."

Multiple parties were said to be interested in purchasing the rights to adapt the novel as a dramatic series, leading to Apple's win in a "competitive situation."

Shantaram is a fictional novel based somewhat on Roberts' real life, and focuses on a character named Lin, a convict who flees an Australian prison and disappears into the city of Bombay.

Once in India, Lin's journey takes him through a hidden society of soldiers, gangsters, and criminals, all while figures from his life in prison hunt him down.

Previous plans for Shantaram had Joel Edgerton in the starring role of a feature film, but plans have now shifted into a television series. The show will be produced by Paramount Television and Anonymous Content, which also own the rights to the sequel novel called "The Mountain Shadow."

"American Hustle" screenwriter Eric Warren Singer will serve as the showrunner and executive producer of the new Apple series. Singer also worked on "The International", "Only the Brave", and wrote the script for the upcoming sequel "Top Gun: Maverick."

Popular Stories

apple launch feb 2025 alt

Here Are the New Apple Products We're Still Expecting This Spring

Thursday February 20, 2025 5:06 am PST by
Now that Apple has announced its new more affordable iPhone 16e, our thoughts turn to what else we are expecting from the company this spring. There are three product categories that we are definitely expecting to get upgraded before spring has ended. Keep reading to learn what they are. If we're lucky, Apple might make a surprise announcement about a completely new product category. M4...
prioritize notifications ios 18 4

Everything New in iOS 18.4 Beta 1

Friday February 21, 2025 1:08 pm PST by
Apple finally released the first beta of iOS 18.4 to developers for testing purposes, and while the beta is lacking some of the Apple Intelligence features we were hoping for, there are some notable new additions. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Priority Notifications - Apple Intelligence There is a new Priority Notifications feature that can show you your most...
Apple iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Announces iPhone 16e With A18 Chip and Apple Intelligence, Pricing Starts at $599

Wednesday February 19, 2025 8:02 am PST by
Apple today introduced the iPhone 16e, its newest entry-level smartphone. The device succeeds the third-generation iPhone SE, which has now been discontinued. The iPhone 16e features a larger 6.1-inch OLED display, up from a 4.7-inch LCD on the iPhone SE. The display has a notch for Face ID, and this means that Apple no longer sells any iPhones with a Touch ID fingerprint button, marking the ...
ios 18 4 ambient music

iOS 18.4 Adds New Ambient Music Feature

Friday February 21, 2025 11:06 am PST by
In iOS 18.4, there's a new Ambient Music option that can be added to Control Center. There are four different sound categories, including Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing. Each category can be added to Control Center separately, and tapping one plays a random selection of sounds or music from that particular category. You can't choose what's playing from Control Center, but if...
iphone 17 pro asherdipps

iPhone 17 Pro Models Rumored to Feature Aluminum Frame Instead of Titanium Frame

Tuesday February 18, 2025 12:02 pm PST by
Over the years, Apple has switched from an aluminum frame to a stainless steel frame to a titanium frame for its highest-end iPhones. And now, it has been rumored that Apple will go back to using aluminum for three out of four iPhone 17 models. In an investor note with research firm GF Securities, obtained by MacRumors this week, Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu said the iPhone 17, iPhone...
iPhone 16e Feature

Apple Denies Speculation Surrounding iPhone 16e's Lack of MagSafe

Friday February 21, 2025 8:01 am PST by
Apple has confirmed that its custom-designed C1 modem in the iPhone 16e has nothing to do with the device's lack of MagSafe support, according to Macworld. Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, there was some speculation online about how MagSafe magnets might have interfered with the C1 modem's cellular connectivity performance, and this was considered to be a potential reason for the...
Generic iOS 18

Here's When Apple Will Release iOS 18.4

Wednesday February 19, 2025 11:38 am PST by
Following the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple updated its iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia pages to give a narrower timeline on when the next updates are set to launch. All three pages now state that new Apple Intelligence features and languages will launch in early April, an update from the more broader April timeframe that Apple provided before. The next major point updates will be iOS ...
oppo find n5 fingers

World's Thinnest Foldable Phone Launches in Europe and Asia

Thursday February 20, 2025 8:55 am PST by
Oppo has launched the Find N5, the world's thinnest foldable phone yet. When closed, the book-style foldable measures 8.93mm. That's less than a millimeter thicker than an iPhone 16 Pro, and thinner than the Honor Magic V3, which was the previous record holder. The device is barely thicker than its USB-C port. Indeed, Oppo has suggested that the obstacle to making it any thinner is now "the...

Top Rated Comments

citysnaps Avatar
88 months ago
T. Cook once again focusing on anything but innovation.
Apple will spend $14B on R&D in fiscal 2018. Has Mr. Cook revealed to you how that's being allocated within Apple, leading to your conclusion about innovation?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rogifan Avatar
88 months ago
R&D Spending Last fiscal year is below. Apple's R&D investment significantly lags the leaders Amazon & Alphabet. They are behind in key areas relative to other tech companies, and chose to buy back $100 Billion in stock with the recent tax windfall. The buy back is especially worrisome.

In Billions:
16.1 - Amazon
13.9 - Alphabet
12.7 - Intel
12.3 - MSFT
10.0 - Apple
What is included in those numbers? Do they all classify R&D spending the same way?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
citysnaps Avatar
88 months ago
In 2017, Amazon spent more on r&d than Apple. What do you think about that?
"Amazon spent more on r&d than Apple."

Yeah. So?


"What do you think about that?"

I dunno... two different companies with different needs, and different priorities with respect to profits, etc.

I don't, but perhaps you have inside insight/knowledge about the two very different companies that for the most part provide very different products and services, leading you to draw some conclusions.

Do you feel Apple is not spending enough on R&D? If so why? Be specific. I hope your answer is not simply, "Amazon spends more!"
[doublepost=1528402324][/doublepost]
R&D Spending Last fiscal year is below. Apple's R&D investment significantly lags the leaders Amazon & Alphabet. They are behind in key areas relative to other tech companies, and chose to buy back $100 Billion in stock with the recent tax windfall. The buy back is especially worrisome.

In Billions:
16.1 - Amazon
13.9 - Alphabet
12.7 - Intel
12.3 - MSFT
10.0 - Apple
Apple will spend $14B on R&D in fiscal 2018. How does that compare with Amazon? You may not be aware Apple and Amazon are two very different companies with different products/services and objectives.

How much should Apple spend on R&D? Be very specific on the amount and reasons why, and how those R&D dollars should be allocated among Apple's different internal research efforts.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kaibelf Avatar
88 months ago
T. Cook once again focusing on anything but innovation.
Because Apple and all it’s employees can only do one thing at a time? I suppose diversification is a foreign concept, as well as recurring revenue.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macrooster Avatar
88 months ago
T. Cook once again focusing on anything but innovation.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
alex00100 Avatar
88 months ago
Actually sounds interesting. The only show on their list I'm cautiously excited about.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)