Producers Christian Taylor (Hick) and Eva Orner (Taxi to the Darkside) have picked up rights to the young adult novel Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel.

According to Variety, the coming-of-age story is set in the 1970s, and explores the bond between a teenage boy and a chimpanzee, as well as the ethical implications of animal research. Raised by the boy's family as part of a study, the chimp quickly becomes a media sensation, but when the project loses its funding the teen must risk everything to save the animal.

Producers are in the process of finding a writer and distribution partner for the project, which is said to feature a magical quality reminiscent of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

No production date has been set.