*Laurence Fishburne is teaming with movie mogul Harvey Weinstein to bring Paulo Coelho's 1988 novel "The Alchemist" to the big screen in a $60 million-plus adaptation, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

       The best-selling book tells the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy, who while traveling the world in search of treasure meets an alchemist, to be played by Fishburne. The actor will also direct and produce.      

       The project had been in development at Warner Bros for years, but Weinstein swooped in and picked up all rights, and will personally produce the film for the Weinstein Co, the trade reported.       

       "This is one of those great turnaround situations," Weinstein said of the project's long gestation. "The book means so much to people on a spiritual level, and there is an exciting love story, action." He also said, "I think there is a bridge to the Middle East in this story.       

       Weinstein plans to bring on a screenwriter and launch a casting search for the roles of Santiago and Fatima, the woman with whom the young man falls in love.