Amazon MGM Studios’ adaptation of the Nicholas Sparks bestseller “Counting Miracles” has found its writer/director in “The Peanut Butter Falcon” co-filmmaker Tyler Nilson.

Starring Alan Ritchson, “Counting Miracles” follows Army Ranger Tanner Hughes (Ritchson) as he crosses the country comforting the families of fallen soldiers until a mysterious letter sends him searching for the father he never knew. His journey leads him to a small town, where a blossoming romance with a doctor and single mother of two draws him into the life of a reclusive old man with a haunting past. As their lives become unexpectedly intertwined, Tanner is forced to confront the truth of who he is — and discover where he truly belongs.

In addition to Sparks and Nilson, “Counting Miracles” will be produced by Ritchson via his Dancing Skeleton banner alongside Di Novi Pictures’ Denise Di Novi and Margaret French Isaac, and Sparks’s longtime producing partner Theresa Park. Currently, Dancing Skeleton and Di Novi Pictures are under first-look film deals with Amazon MGM Studios and Ritchson has a three-picture acting deal with the company.

Nilson’s breakout came with “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” which he co-wrote and co-directed with Michael Schwartz as their feature debut. Starring Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, and Zack Gottsagen, the film won the Audience Award at SXSW, earned a DGA nomination for Achievement in First-Time Feature Film, landed on the NBR’s Top Ten Independent Films list, and became the highest-grossing indie release of 2019.

Next up for Nilson was “Los Frikis,” which he co-wrote and directed with Schwartz and was produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller starring Adria Arjona and Héctor Medina. Set in 1990s Cuba, the film premiered in 2024 to further critical acclaim.

Best known for his novels including “The Notebook,” “A Walk to Remember,” “Message in a Bottle,” “Dear John,” “The Last Song,” “Safe Haven,” “The Longest Ride” and “The Choice,” Sparks is no stranger to a Hollywood adaptation. His novels have been made into films that have collectively grossed more than $750 million worldwide, with Sparks serving as a producer on several adaptations.

Aside from “Counting Miracles,” Sparks’ next big film adaptation is “Remain,” which stars Jake Gyllenhaal and is set to release February 5, 2027.

He is repped by Howie Sanders, co-head of the Anonymous Content media rights department, Celeste Fine of Park & Fine Literary and Media, Jill Fritzo PR and Scott Schwimer Esq.