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The Familiars
Release Date: TBA
SubscribeGenres: Adventure, Fantasy
Production Phase: Script Stage
Studio: Sony Pictures Animation Production Company: Stars Road Entertainment
Who's Making It: Adam Jay Epstein (Screenwriter), Andrew Jacobson (Screenwriter), Sam Raimi (Producer), Josh Donen (Producer),
Premise: Three young wizards must rely on their animal companions (an alley cat, a blue jay and a tree frog) to escape from an evil kingdom ruled by a vile queen.... More »
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The screen rights to Andrew Jacobson and Adam Jay Epstein's soon-to-be published children's fantasy book The Familiars have been bought by Sony Pictures Animation. The duo, who have previous Hollywood experience co-writing and directing Extreme Movie, will adapt their book into a screenplay.
Sony Animation got excited when they heard the pitch for The Familiars from the writers' agents at UTA and H2F Entertainment. HarperCollins Children had already bought the North American publication rights, worth something in the six-figure range, when the movie rights were shopped around the town. Described by The Hollywood Reporter as concerning three young wizards who must rely on their animal assistants (an alley cat, a blue jay and a tree frog) to escape from an evil kingdom ruled by a vile queen. A detailed chapter-by-chapter outline of the first book has been written and outlines for two sequels also exist, allowing Sony and HarperCollins an easy vision of turning this idea into a long-lasting franchise. It could also be a very sizeable payday for the two writers as Sony paid some figure in the low to mid-seven figures to acquire the film rights.
Spider-Man director Sam Raimi and Josh Donen are in talks to produce the movie.
- The Hollywood Reporter. Comment on this Scoop (0)