A group of Hollywood heavyweights is behind an upcoming adaptation of "The Clan of the Cave Bear," with TheWrap.com reporting that executive producers Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Allison Shearmur are on board. Lifetime has reportedly ordered a pilot for the drama project.

The original book by Jean M. Auel, released in 1980, was followed by a number of sequels including "The Valley of Horses" and "The Mammoth Hunters." The book series will provide source material for the Lifetime project.

In a statement, Lifetime Executive Vice President and General Manager Rob Sharenow said: “I've always admired Jean M. Auel's timeless work. With the visionary creative team of Ron Howard, Linda Woolverton, Brian Grazer, Alli Shearmur, Jean M. Auel and Francie Calfo behind it, this project has it all — epic storytelling, great characters and a unique world that's never been explored on television before.”

The project is set more than 25,000 years ago, when Neanderthals roamed the Earth along with the first humans. The book has sold more than 60 million copies, and was adapted into a film starring Daryl Hannah in 1986.