Another young adult book series will be getting a feature film treatment as Dreamworks has acquired the rights to ‘Shadow and Bone’, the first novel in the Grisha trilogy.
The novel, written by Leigh Bardugo, debuted on the New York Times Best Seller List back in June and is now in its third printing. The next book in the series, ‘Siege and Storm’ is scheduled for a June 2013 publication with the third and last installment being released in the summer of 2014.
The film will be produced by Jeffrey Clifford (‘Up in the Air,’ ‘No Strings Attached’) and David Heyman (‘Harry Potter’ films, ‘Gravity,’ ‘I am Legend’). The film adaptation is definitely in good hands with Heyman who calls ‘Shadow and Bone’ a “riveting and wholly original adventure set in a breathtakingly imaginative world.”
Dreamworks production president Holly Bario seems to agree adding:
“We found not just a fantastic story, but one set in a mystical and fascinating world that will translate well to the big screen. We are excited to begin adapting this book and look forward to working with David Heyman who has unparalleled proven success in this genre.”
The novel sounds like it has enormous potential to become Heyman’s next franchise. If ‘Shadow and Bone’ does well at the box office, don’t be surprised if it spawns 3 more sequels (after all, the last book in the series will undoubtedly be split into 2 films a la ‘The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay’, ‘The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn’ and ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’).
Here’s a description followed by a trailer for the book according to Amazon:
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.
Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.
The next step for the project will now be to find a director and someone who will scribe the adaptation. As more news develops, we’ll keep you informed!
Have you read the book? Who do you see to direct or write the film?
Source: Deadline
