The film adaptation of the IDW graphic novel ‘Lore’ may finally have a director as Deadline is reporting that Barry Sonnenfeld is in talks with Warner Bros. to helm the project.

Producers of ‘Lore’ had hired Cory Goodman (‘Priest’) and Jeremy Lott to scribe the screenplay, but it wasn’t until Dwayne Johnson (‘G.I. Joe: Retaliation,’ ‘The Scorpion King,’ ‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island’) became attached to the film that the studios became interested in the project. What transpired afterwards was a bidding war that reached 7 figures with Warner Bros. beating out four other studios, including Sony and Paramount, for the film rights. The deal included a progress-to-production clause meaning that if the film is not made, stiff penalties would be paid. Needless to say, the studios made sure the hunt for a director occurred quickly once the deal closed.

‘Lore’ has been described as ‘Men in Black’ with mythical creatures, so what better choice than to have the man who directed the ‘Men in Black’ films himself to direct the project. Sonnenfeld seems to have a penchant for directing comic/graphic novel material as not only was ‘Men in Black’ based on a comic book series, so are his other projects, ‘Dominion: Dinosaurs vs. Aliens’ and ‘Metal Men.’  There’s no word as to whether Sonnenfeld would rework the script if he decides to take on the gig.

As to when the film would be in production that may depend on Johnson’s schedule as he’s currently filming ‘The Fast and the Furious 6’ then he’s off to film Brett Ratner’s ‘Hercules.’ That leaves filming for ‘Lore’ starting sometime in 2013 at the earliest.

‘Lore’ takes place in a world that was once teaming with mythological creatures that were banished and held at bay by an ancient society called the High Shepherd Order. When the generational line of the Shepherds is broken, a reluctant hero finds her life is threatened and the mythical creatures begin to once again roam the planet.

Warner Bros. is hoping the ‘Lore’ will be the start of another franchise for the studio and with Ashley Wood (who illustrated the graphic novel) on board as a producer, it looks like the film has  good chance of being true to the source material.

We’ll keep you posted on Sonnenfeld’s confirmation and further casting announcements on this project as it arises.