‘Das Boot’ director Andreas Prochaska has signed on to helm Sony’s upcoming ‘Alex Rider’ TV series based on the YA spy novel series written by Anthony Horowitz. Prochaska will direct and executive produce the first four episodes for Sony Pictures Television and Eleventh Hour Films. These four episodes will adapt the second novel in the series, ‘Point Blanc’.
President of international production, Wayne Garvie said:
“Andreas has a captivating and authentic style of storytelling, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him on board. We can’t wait to start the search for our new Alex with Andreas leading the way!”
Eleventh Hour’s head of talent, Eve Gutierrez, who will also serve as executive producer added:
“We are delighted to be working with visionary director Andreas Prochaska. Andreas’ work, whether for the big or small screen, is always underpinned by thrilling, emotional experiences making him the perfect choice for Alex Rider.”
Prochaska directed the eight-part miniseries ‘Das Boot’, based on the 1981 World War II submarine film, by Wolfgang Petersen, based on the book by Lothar-Günther Buchheim, which will premier on Sky this month. In the US, it will be released via Hulu after it completes its run on Sky. Prochaska is from Austria and has directed close to a dozen different TV series in his home country and in Germany, plus various theatrical and television movies.
It appears that ‘Alex Rider’ will be Prochaska’s first work in English. He stated:
“Within the first few pages of reading Guy Burt’s compelling scripts for the series I was hooked. Guy has taken Anthony’s brilliant, well-loved character and created a bold and unique concept, a coming-of-age story set in the clandestine world of spies sure to excite fans and newcomers alike.”
There are presently 11 novels in the ‘Alex Rider’ book series with another ‘Nightshade’ due next year. The series chronicles the adventures of a 14-year-old spy who is recruited by MI6 after his uncle is killed in action. Alex is tasked with completing his mission and then continues acting as a special agent.
Horowitz has also written numerous short stories and graphic novels and a video game were released in 2006. Also in 2006, The Weinstein Company released a film adaptation of ‘Stormbreaker’ (released as ‘Alex Rider: Operation Stormbreaker’ in the US) directed by Geoffrey Sax with Alex Pettyfer in the lead role. This was expected to be the first of a franchise, but it flopped and plans for additional movies were scrapped.
Are you a fan of the books? Are you excited about a TV series?
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
