By Liza Foreman

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios has secured the feature film rights to Jojo Moyes bestselling novel “Me Before You” it was announced today by Jonathan Glickman, MGM’s President, Motion Picture Group.

“Me Before You” tells the story of two very different characters: Lou, a small town girl caught between dead-end jobs and Will, a high-profile, successful man who becomes wheelchair bound following an accident. Will has decided his life is not worth living until Lou is hired for six months to be his new caretaker.  Worlds apart and trapped together by circumstance, the two get off to a rocky start. But, Lou becomes determined to prove to Will that life is worth living and as they embark on a series of adventures together, each finds their world changing in ways neither of them could begin to imagine.

The novel has sold over half a million copies and quickly landed on The New York Times bestseller list.  Global E-book sales have crossed 250,000 and the book is now sold into thirty-one translations, including an upcoming first printing in Germany (March 2013) with 120,000 copies.  Critical raves include The New York Times Book Review: “Moyes story provokes tears that are redemptive, the opposite of gratuitous.  Some situations, she forces the reader to recognize, really are worth crying over…with Lou and Will she has created an affair to remember;” The Daily Mail: “A deftly plotted narrative populated with likable engaging characters…a bittersweet story about love, learning and letting go. It’s a tremendous read;” and People Magazine: “Funny, surprising and heartbreaking, populated with characters who are affecting and amusing…This is a thought-provoking, thoroughly entertaining novel that captures the complexity of love.”

“Jojo’s book is frankly one of the most unique, emotional and engaging love stories written in recent years,” said Glickman.  “We’re so thrilled to collaborate with her on creating a classic film romance that lives up to this exceptional novel.”

Said Moyes: “I could not be more excited about MGM and their plans for ‘Me Before You.’ The studio is so passionate about the book and I'm thrilled that a story that seems to have come alive in so many readers’ imaginations is about to have a whole new life on-screen.”

The film rights were negotiated by Jessica Cooper of Curtis Brown for Moyes. Cassidy Lange, MGM’s senior vice president, production, will oversee the project on behalf of the studio.