The 2005 Oscar winning drama, which starred Jake Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger, was based on the Anne Prolux short story about two cowboys falling in love. Charles Wuorinen has been commissioned by New York City Opera to make a musical based on the source material.
"Ever since encountering Annie Proulx's extraordinary story I have wanted to make an opera on it. It gives me great joy that Gerard Mortier and New York City Opera have given me the opportunity to do so," he said. The opera will be staged in 2013.
The film, which was directed by Ang Lee, won three Oscars.