I think one thing I wouldn't think would lend the book to being made into a film is the final scene of the book. The reader is given two possible interpretations of the events of the novel and asked to choose which to believe. I can't help but think that a film would either ruin that choice or remove it altogether.

Life of Pi is one of those novels I meant to read for years and only read relatively recently. It's a great book, and a real page turner. I'll certainly monitor the development of the film, and try to refrain from passing judgement until I see the film. How successfully I do that is another matter!