WATERVILLE (AP) – A mystery novel written by Maine author Gerry Boyle has drawn the interest of a film producer who says filming could begin as early as September.

Filming of the book “Potshot” would take place primarily in central Maine communities such as Waterville, Lewiston, Starks and China, John Philbrick said at the Maine Film Academy Awards Gala at Colby College. Philbrick, who lives in Gorham, has purchased the movie rights to “Potshot.”

“Potshot,” published in 1997, is the fourth in a series of mystery novels detailing the life and adventures of Jack McMorrow, a former New York Times reporter who moves to rural Maine.

Philbrick said he approached Boyle at the Maine International Film Festival in 2004 asking him to consider extending McMorrow’s life into movies.

On Saturday night, Philbrick led a staged screenplay of the first 30 pages of the script, with actors from Maine and New York.

Philbrick said he chose “Potshot” because it sets the stage for McMorrow’s transition from big-city reporter to a reporter in small-town Maine. Parts of the movie also would be filmed in New York City and Massachusetts, locations where McMorrow travels for his work as a reporter.

Nothing has been finalized, but plans for the movie continue to move forward, said Boyle and Maine Film Office director Lea Girardin.

Philbrick said a major actor has signed a letter of intent to star in the movie, and that he has high hopes for making a series out of the Jack McMorrow series.

“We hope to make a movie out of every single one of his books,” Philbrick said.

Boyle has written eight books in the Jack McMorrow series. Two more books are in the works.

He said nothing is certain about the movie yet, but he is excited about the prospects. Boyle, the editor of the Colby College magazine, is a former columnist, feature writer and editor at the Morning Sentinel.