William Broyles Jr. has signed on to adapt Universal Pictures' The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, based on the David Wroblewski novel.

According to Variety, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle is a high-profile project for the studio, with Tom Hanks and Oprah Winfrey producing through their Playtone and Harpo shingles, respectively.

The story centers on the titular teenage mute who, caught in a long-standing intense family conflict, flees into the Wisconsin woods with three of the extraordinary dogs that his family raises and trains.

No production date has been set.