Sony has acquired the North American distribution rights for an animated feature based on Marjane Satrapi's bestselling Persepolis graphic novels.  Satrapi's stories of her Iranian childhood and expatriate life in France have been the darlings of the literati embrace of graphic novels over the last few years, and have sold very well in both comic stores and bookstores. 

 

The feature is already in production in Paris, with Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud co-writing and co-directing.  French voice talent includes Chiara Mastroianni in the lead role, plus Catherine Deneuve, Danielle Darrieux, and Simon Abkarian, according to Variety.  An English soundtrack is also planned.