Universal Pictures has optioned "Everlost," a Neal Shusterman novel that will be developed as a potential directing vehicle for Gary Ross through his Larger Than Life banner. Shusterman will write the script.
"Everlost" becomes the latest in a flurry of family-themed projects that Larger Than Life has set at Universal. Allison Thomas and Naketha Mattocks will produce them for the company, with Ross also involved in a producing capacity.
Published by Simon & Schuster, "Everlost" focuses on Nick and Allie, teenage passengers in cars that collide. They meet in a netherworld known as Everlost, unsure if they're alive. The teens try to navigate an odd world that is populated by young people from different historical periods, with a couple of baddies in the mix.
"We liked the characters, and the idea that it was an action adventure story that had no wizards or dragons, that wasn't driven by magic like so many of these films are," said Larger Than Life's Thomas. "This is an alternative universe, almost Peter Pan-ish, with its own set of rules and two strong lead characters trying to find their way back to their families."
Book's the first of a series, and the hope is to hatch a franchise.
Thomas said the project joins four others Larger Than Life has mobilized for the family set. Company's in pre-production on "The Tale of Despereaux," a Ross-penned adaptation of the Kate DiCamillo novel that will be shot in London as a CG-animated feature, with Mike Johnson ("Corpse Bride") directing.
Then there's a mockumentary set in the world of a youth baseball league that's written and to be directed by Mike Akel and Chris Mass ("Chalk").
Dean Deblois ("Lilo & Stitch") will write and direct "Sightings," a film about a boy in Florida who finds a sea monster.
Larger Than Life also optioned "Tales From the Wishworks Factory," a Jason Lethcoe book to be published next year about a boy who makes unlimited wishes and creates a war between those who grant wishes and those who grant curses. Thomas and Mattocks will produce that pic with Underground Films & Management's Nick Osborne and Trevor Engelson.
Ross plans to next direct an untitled historical epic, and he is also developing to direct "Vegas 55," a drama based on a Los Angeles magazine article by Charles Fleming about the first integrated Las Vegas casino. Kevin Brodbin ("Constantine") is writing the script.
"Everlost" author Shusterman is repped by Underground Films & Management and WMA.
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