Category Archives: Optioned Books

Lionsgate Adapting “Down a Dark Hall” With Stephenie Meyer

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Lionsgate has officially acquired the rights to “Down a Dark Hall.” The popular 1974 young adult novel is heading for the big screen with Stephenie Meyer, the author of “Twilight” signed on as producer. The novel was written by Lois Duncan.

“Down a Dark Hall” follows a young girl, Kit Gordy, who is a new student at the exclusive Blackwood Boarding School. There she confronts the school’s supernatural occurrences and dark powers of its headmistress.

Meghan Hibbett will also produce with Meyer with their Fickle Fish Films banner. They have hired Michael Goldback to write the screenplay. He will be aided by Chris Sparling who is set to do “additional writing on the script.” Rodrigo Cortes will direct.

The author of the book, Duncan, has had other works previously adapted into popular films. The horror film I Know What You Did Last Summer as well as the children’s film Hotel for Dogs are both based on her novels. 

Currently there is no word on when the project will go into production. The studio has not announced who they are eyeing for the lead roles or an anticipated release date.

Dragonriders of Pern Optioned for Film

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The incredibly extensive fantasy novel series from Anne McCaffey has been optioned for a film adaptation by Warner Bros. according to a report from Deadline. “The Dragonriders of Pern” is a 22-book series that will begin what is planned as a new fantasy film franchise.

The first book in the series, “Dragonflight,” is officially described as follows:

To the nobles who live in Benden Weyr, Lessa is nothing but a ragged kitchen girl. For most of her life she has survived by serving those who betrayed her father and took over his lands. Now the time has come for Lessa to shed her disguise—and take back her stolen birthright.

But everything changes when she meets a queen dragon. The bond they share will be deep and last forever. It will protect them when, for the first time in centuries, Lessa’s world is threatened by Thread, an evil substance that falls like rain and destroys everything it touches. Dragons and their Riders once protected the planet from Thread, but there are very few of them left these days. Now brave Lessa must risk her life, and the life of her beloved dragon, to save her beautiful world. . . .

“Dragonflight” was originally published in 1968. Along with the many many sequels, there has had spinoff novels, video games, comic books, and board games based on the world created by McCaffey.

Currently, there is no word when production will begin or an anticipated release date. More news regarding the project is expected to be released over the next few months.

Game of Thrones Season 5 Cast Announced

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Last week at the San Diego Comic-Con 2014 event, HBO took the opportunity to announce the new cast members for the next season of “Game of Thrones.” Most notably is that we will see a majority of the House Martell and the Sand Snakes.

  • Alexander Siddig – Doran Martell
    • The ruling lord of Dorne and older brother to the late Prince Oberyn Martell.
  • Toby Sebastian – Trystane Martell
    • Prince Doran’s son and heir to Dorne. Betrothed to Myrcella Baratheon.
  • Nell Tiger Free (recast) – Myrcella Baratheon.
  • Jessica Henwick – Nymeria (“Nym”) Sand
    • The second eldest of the late Prince Oberyn’s bastard daughters
  • Rosabell Laurenti Sellers – Tyene Sand
    • The daughter of the late Prince Oberyn Martell by Ellaria Sand.
  • Keisha Castle-Hughes – Obara Sand
    • The eldest bastard daughter of the late Prince Oberyn Martell.
  • DeObia Oparei – Areo Hotah
    • The long-serving captain of Doran Martell’s palace guard, renowned for his loyalty and his elongate.
  • Enzo Cilenti – Yezzan
    • An extremely wealthy slave trader before Daenerys outlawed the slave trade.
  • Jonathan Pryce – High Sparrow
    • A devout and pious man, the High Sparrow came to King’s Landing to serve those forgotten by much of the world – the poor, the downtrodden and the infirm.

Season 5 of “Game of Thrones” will premiere in 2015 around the month of April. Series author, George R.R. Martin has revealed that he is not going to write an episode in the fifth season as he has done in previously seasons.

Maze Runner Sequel Hinted At SDCC 2014

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Despite the fact that the film adaptation of “The Maze Runner” hasn’t released in theaters yet, it appears that a sequel is already on the mind of the studio and director Wes Ball. He revealed his plans at this year’s San Diego Comic Con.

The Maze Runner is based on the post apocalyptic novel written by James Dashner. It follows Thomas (played by Dylan O’Brien in the film), who, along with his fellow abductees, must escape the eponymous maze they wake up in.

The novel has two sequels, “The Scorch Trials” and “The Death Cure.” If the first film is successful in the box office, Ball could turn the series into a film franchise. 20th Century Fox has already acquired the film rights to “The Scorch Trials” in a proactive move.

The Maze Runner is set to be released on September 19, 2014.

Ridley Scott Adapting The Devil in the Kitchen

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According to a report from Deadline, a film adaptation of Marco Pierre White’s 2010 memoir “The Devil in the Kitchen” is on the way. The project will be brought to film by Colet Abedi, Giannina Facio and Ridley Scott. 

The memoir is officially described as follows:

Without question, the original rock-star chef is Marco Pierre White. Anyone with even a passing interest in the food world knows White is a legend. The first British chef (and the youngest chef anywhere) to win three Michelin stars – and also the only chef ever to give them all back – is a chain-smoking, pot-throwing multiply- married culinary genius whose fierce devotion to food and restaurants has been the only constant in a life of tabloid-ready turmoil.

White explores his life from being a member of the working class to a famous culinary name. He features some tales of the biggest names in Hollywood and the world such as Mario Batali, Gordon Ramsay, Albert Roux, Raymond Blanc, Michael Caine, Damien Hirst, and even Prince Charles.

There has been no anticipated release date or an announcement of when it will begin production.

Mark Romanek to Helm The Overlook Hotel, a Prequel to The Shining

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The prequel to “The Shining” has gotten a new director. The Overlook Hotel will be helmed by Mark Romanek according to a report from Variety.

The film is described as an origin story of the infamous hotel where The Shining took place. We will see the Overlook Hotel “through the eyes of its first owner, Bob T. Watson. A robber baron at the turn of the 20th century, Watson scaled the remote peaks of the Colorado Rockies to build the grandest resort in America, and a place he and his family would also call home.”

The prequel was first announced in 2012 but then it got pushed to the back burner. The initial writer and producer Laeta Kaldridis and her partners Bradley Fischer and James Vanderbilt are still working on the project. Former showrunner of “The Walking Dead” Glen Mazzara wrote the original script and is also involved.

There is no word yet on when production will begin or anticipated release date. However, if The Overlook Hotel actually continues it will likely be released sometime in 2016.

Sandra Bullock and Tate Taylor Plan Tupperware Pioneer Biopic

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4190iMyoNPL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_Sony Pictures Entertainment is adapting the non-fiction book “Tupperware Unsealed” by Bob Kealing. It was also announced that Sandra Bullock with headline the film. Tate Taylor will both write and direct the biopic of Brownie Wise, the marketing pioneer who created the Tupperware home party strategy.

 

Wise was the first woman to be featured on the cover of Business Week and is remembered for being groundbreaking in building a world where women could earn their own money and thusly their independence. Her work with the Tupperware company however was not easy. She often clashed with the company founder Earl Tupper and eventually caused her exit from the company.

“As a writer-director, Tate has the rare and delicate ability to capture both the romanticism and restrictions of a time and place,” says Hannah Minghella, president of Production for the studio. “In this case 1950’s suburban America. His characters are both immediately recognizable while also uniquely iconic. Such was the magic of Brownie Wise. There is no one better than Sandy to play Brownie — they share a fierce bravery and independent spirit.”

Director Tate added,

“Sandy and I have been trying to work together for years,” adds Taylor. “Finally, I’m very excited to put Tupperware in her hands. This is a collaborative dream come true.”

Albert Torres to Pen Script Locke & Key Feature

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It has been quite a while since we heard any news about the adaptation of Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez’s comic series “Locke & Key.” But according to The Hollywood Reporter, Albert Torres has been announced as the screenwriter for the production.

The comic series, published from 2008 to 2013 over six volumes, tells the story of the Locke family who travel to a place called Keyhouse, a New England mansion with fantastic keys that open up doors that give them incredible abilities. Though the building is also home to a hate-filled and relentless creature that will not rest until it forces open the most terrible door of them all.

Hollywood BFF’s Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are heading the big screen adaptation. Torres is most known for writing the 2008 film Henry Poole is Here. He also scripted a draft for a live action Ben 10 feature film.

There is no word yet on when the project will begin production. The studio has not announced what actors they are eyeing to star in the lead roles at the moment.

Watch The Second Trailer for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

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A brand new trailer for The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 has released. In the trailer, President Snow is back again in another PSA style trailer promising that Panem has never been more unified. Peeta is at his side once more.

The message from Panem reads:

#OnePanem CITIZENS: Never have we been more unified as a nation… The Capitol and the districts are bound together in solidarity, striving to forge a stronger future.
Join esteemed victors Peeta Mellark and Johanna Mason in their support of President Snow’s Panem Address, “Unity,” brought to you by Capitol TV in stunning 4K.

However, is it really unity when surrounded by soldiers? Not to mention the appearance of District 13 who pirates the transmission and interrupts the broadcast? “This is a pirate transmission from District 13. The message: The Mockingjay lives.”

Part one sees Katniss in District 13 after she literally shatters the games forever. Under the leadership of President Coin (Julianne Moore) and the advice of her trusted friends, Katniss spreads her wings as she fights to save Peeta and a nation moved by her courage.

The film stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Julianne Moore, Jeffrey Wright, Donald Sutherland, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. 

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 hits theaters on November 21. (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 will release on November 20, 2015). 

Gillian Flynn’s “Sharp Objects” Headed to TV

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“Sharp Objects” another popular novel from Gillian Flynn is heading to the small screen with a television adaptation in the works. Entertainment One and producers Marti Noxon and Jason Blum’s Blumhouse will bring the novel to series. Flynn will serve as executive producer.

The novel was originally published in 2006. It centers on a reported named Camille Preaker – fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital — who faces a troubling assignment: she must return to her tiny hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls. For years, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed in her old bedroom in her family’s Victorian mansion, Camille finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Dogged by her own demons, she must unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past if she wants to get the story—and survive this homecoming.

Noxon will be showrunner as well as writing the script. Charles Layton is also on board as exec producer. eOne CEO John Morayniss and exec vp scripted Michael Rosenberg will oversee for the company, which will handle worldwide distribution rights.

Flynn is most known for her novel “Gone Girl” which has been adapted into film starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike.