Avatar Entertainment Buys Paul A. Mendelson’s Sci-Fi-Tinged Romantic Comedy Novel ‘Seville’
EXCLUSIVE: Author and screenwriter Paul A. Mendelson‘s novel ‘Seville‘ is set for a film adaptation, with Avatar Entertainment acquiring rights to the romantic comedy-meets-sci-fi book.
Mendelson has written a screenplay based on the novel, with Avatar founder Larry Robinson producing the film and UK-based director George Siougas attached to direct. Siougas is known for his BAFTA- and Oscar-shortlisted film The One Note Man from 2024.
‘Seville’ follows middle-aged couple William and Luisa, who travel to the Spanish city of Seville in Spain during Semana Santa (Holy Week), where they honeymooned exactly 30 years prior, seeking to rejuvenate their lackluster marriage. Upon arrival, however, they begin to experience time-bending encounters with their younger selves, leading them to contend with the deep regrets and painful losses that led to the breakdown of their marriage.
London- and Los Angeles-based production and management company Avatar noted the Book Guild has called ‘Seville’ “a magical, bittersweet romantic comedy of love and time.”
Besides ‘Seville,’ Mendelson has written six other novels. These include ‘The Forever Moment,’ ‘On the Matter of Isabel’ and ‘Losing Arthur.’ As a screenwriter, has has written for BBC comedies such as May to December, My Hero and So Haunt Me.
Speaking out of L.A., Robinson said: “I am excited to have acquired Mendelson’s highly acclaimed novel, ‘Seville,’ and to be working him as the screenwriter on this wonderful project. Further, George Siougas is the perfect director to bring this magical story to life onscreen. Appealing equally to romance, comedy, and sci-fi enthusiasts, the film adaptation of ‘Seville’ will captivate global audiences, expanding upon its favorable reception as a novel.”
Avatar has acquired the rights to several major literary properties in recent years. In 2025, it signed an agreement for the rights to Katy Hogan’s novel ‘Out of the Darkness’ by Katy Hogan, and acquired bestselling Spanish thriller novel ‘Operation Kazan’ by journalist Vicente Valles and presently being adapted by screenwriters Borja Moreno and Pablo Riquelme Cuartero. It also signed a deal for Leesa Cross-Smith’s Paris-based romance novel ‘Half Blown Rose,’ acquired rights to Robert Enright’s best selling ‘Sam Pope’ action book series, and bought Mary Dearborn’s acclaim biography of Ernest Hemingway for a TV adaptation.
Mendelson and Siougas are managed by Avatar. Mendelson is also repped by Futerman Rose and Associates, and Siougas is repped by The Agency in London.
