Looks like everyone in Hollywood wants a piece of Broadway and the works of art that inspire so many worldwide. Les Miserables, Rock of Ages, August Osage County, American Idiot, and most recently Jersey Boys, will all make their way from the stage to the big screen.
After parting ways with one of the largest movie franchise since Harry Potter, The Hunger Games director, Gary Ross, will try his hand in a trunk of magic as he’s now set to direct the film adaptation of the popular novel and 5-time Tony Award winning play Peter and the Starcatcher. But this adaptation will pull more inspiration from the novel, Peter and the Starcatchers, with an “s”, rather than the play.
Ross Dips into the Trunk of Magic
Ross may have said “no” to the director’s chair for Catching Fire, but according to Deadline, he gladly took the seat when asked to direct Peter and the Starcatchers. Following the $684 million success of Hunger Games, Ross has been offered to helm several films including Summit Entertainment’s The Secret Life Of Houdini. Due to the film’s slow development and lack of details Ross passed on the film.
If you have yet to read the book or to see the Broadway play, and have the ability to do so, definitely go see it! The story revolves around a young adventurous boy named Peter and his new found friend Molly, whom he meets on the Never Land ship. Molly informs Peter of a trunk filled to the brim with powerful magic, which, put in the wrong hands, could prove disastrous. Peter and Molly set out on a journey to keep the trunk far from pirate Black Stache’s reach, who later becomes Captain Hook.
Ross wants to direct Peter and the Starcatcher starting 2013. At this point the film doesn’t have a set budget and only a couple drafts were submitted. Disney now awaits on a new draft from screenwriter Jesse Wigutow (Prince, It Runs in the Family). That draft will arrive in October.
Duel of the Peter Pan Prequels
Peter and the Starcatchers is a prequel to J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan and an adaptation of Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s novel of the same title. Disney isn’t the only studio with plans to put Peter Pan’s origins on film. Earlier this year Channing Tatum teamed up with Sony and producer Joe Roth (Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and the Huntsman) for a grittier re-telling of Peter Pan’s beginnings; Gavin O’Connor (Warrior) is set to direct.
In the meantime check out this clip of the stage version of Peter and the Starcatchers, and let us know your thoughts by posting comments below. RMN will keep you updated with the latest news from the film!
