Esther the Wonder Pig (and her Two Dads) to Get Feature Film

Esther the Wonder Pig, the real-life pig whose adoption by a two-man couple has inspired two memoirs and a picture book, is getting a movie!

CBS Films’ screenwriters Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis are adapting the tale of Esther and her dads, Steve Jenkins and Derek Walter, according to Deadline. The film will be produced by Donners’ Company, whose previous credits include the classic animal rescue film Free Willy and the X-Men series. No actors have been announced yet.

When Jenkins and Walter first adopted Esther, they thought she was a miniature pig, but were surprised when she grew into a 650-pound porcine beauty. She became a social media sensation and inspired her dads to move to a new farm and open the Happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary in Ontario, where they care for other animals as well. The men told their story in the New York Times bestselling memoir Esther the Wonder Pig and continued it in Happily Ever Esther. A picture book of the tale, The True Adventures of Esther the Wonder Pig, came out last year.

Esther’s had some challenges, too: last year she was diagnosed with cancer, but underwent a successful operation and is now doing well, reports CBC News. Her fans raised more than $750,000 to buy a CT scanner for her, “the first of its kind in Canada that was big enough to hold a pig of her size.” It will now be used by other animal charities and rescue organizations.

Jenkins wrote on his Facebook page last week about the upcoming film, “There was a ton of discussion regarding the use of animals, including our ability to be on-set anytime we want -specifically when anything other than CGI animals are on-set so we can supervise- and the ability to ensure that if any animal is required for filming they are to be rescued/adopted, and they will be guaranteed a forever happy home following production. It was non-negotiable.” He adds, “I don’t even have the words to tell you how excited we are to be working with such an accomplished, and respected team. I know we’re in the best hands possible, and that they will help translate our story onto the silver screen in a really beautiful and heartwarming way.”

I can’t wait to see Esther and her dads on the big screen!