Riposte to "Eat, Pray, Love" hooks studio deal

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Warner Bros. has acquired rights to the book "Drink, Play, F@#K," a comedic male retort to the femme-centric best-seller "Eat, Pray, Love."

Comedy writer Andrew Gottlieb's book tells the fictional story of Bob Sullivan, a man who, seeking solace after his wife leaves him, goes on a bender in Ireland, takes a gambling jaunt to Las Vegas and a embarks on a sex-tourism trip to Thailand. Grove Press is scheduled to publish the tome early next year.

Elizabeth Gilbert's memoir "Eat, Pray, Love" -- which is not officially connected to "Play" -- centers on the author's quest to find peace through various modes of living after she endures a painful divorce. Gilbert takes a more delicate route in her hour of need, seeking culinary solace in Italy, spiritual comfort in India and a romantic respite in Indonesia.

Gilbert's memoir, the paperback version of which has sat on the New York Times best-seller list for more than a year, is being developed by Brad Pitt's production company at Paramount, with Julia Roberts attached to star.

Gottlieb, meanwhile, helped create "Z Rock," an IFC satire loosely based on the lives of rock stars. It will debut on the cable network this month.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter