The novel, a searing metaphysical comedy of death and salvation in which the departed give business advice, shop for their next incarnation, and run the continual risk of dying yet again, was dubbed "one of the 100 greatest English language novels" by Time magazine.

Many of Dick's other works have been successfully adapted for the screen, including Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report and A Scanner Darkly.

The film will be produced by Hengameh Panahi of Celluloid Dreams and Isa Dick Hackett of Electric Shepherd Productions, and is slated for production early 2009.

"We are thrilled to actively participate in adapting UBIK," said Hackett. "Our dad very much wanted this novel to be reimagined in this way and we are happy to be partnering with Celluloid Dreams, whose overall vision and appreciation of the material is consistent with our own." Said Isa Dick Hackett of Electric Shepherd Productions.

Philippe Aigle handled the deal on behalf of Celluloid Dreams, Christopher Tricarico represented the Estate of Philip K. Dick and Electric Shepherd Productions in the negotiations.

Celluloid Dreams was founded by its President, Hengameh Panahi in 1993. The organization is a totally independent production company and international sales agent based in Paris and London, specializing in finding, nurturing, promoting and distributing award-winning films created by first class talented directors from all over the world. Recent Celluloid productions include; Garth Jennings' Son Of Rambow, Michael Haneke's Funny Games US, and is currently in production with Julie Delpy's The Countess, Wash Westmoreland and Richard Glatzer's Hello Darkness and Marco Bellocchio's Vincere among others.

Electric Shepherd Productions was founded by Laura Leslie and Isa Dick Hackett, daughters of Philip K. Dick. Along with their brother Christopher Dick, the daughters own and manage the Philip K Dick library. Electric Shepherd Productions is credited for its contribution to A Scanner Darkly, and currently consulting on several other projects based on the works of Philip K. Dick, including the Disney/Pixar animated feature based on King Of The Elves. ESP is also producing a Philip K. Dick biopic for HBO Films.

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