Arcelor-Mittal takeover battle to be shot in a film

London, Oct 3 (UNI) ''Cold Steel'', the book that tells the inside story of the bitter but thrilling takeover battle between Arcelor and Mittal Steel, is to be the subject of an international feature film.

The co-authors, Tim Bouquet and Byron Ousey, have signed an option agreement with an independent UK production company.

The director will be England-based Ravi Kumar, who is currently in India filming "Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain", starring Martin Sheen and Mischa Barton, due for release next year.

"Cold Steel" is one of six books short listed for the 2008 "Financial Times/Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year" award. The book was well reviewed following its publication in April this year by Little, Brown. Since then, its authors have secured North American rights with Key Porter of Canada and foreign language rights in China, Japan, India and Portugal.

Tim Bouquet and Byron Ousey had unprecedented access to the all the main players and advisors in the Arcelor-Mittal Steel takeover battle, one of the most seminal that Europe has seen.

The book is written as a fast paced thriller in a highly readable style.

In its review in May, the "Financial Times" said: " Cold Steel is a compelling tale. Too few page turning books are written in the high drama and low cunning of business and finance.

Cold Steel is a welcome addition ".

"The Economist" had described Cold Steel as " A rare, insider's account of lots of people making millions...the book reads like a thriller with each side trying to rope in other steel companies on both sides of the Atlantic as allies" UNI XC AKJ VC2110