With the success of The Hunger Games, director Gary Ross has had a long list of hopeful suitors knocking at his door. Since he officially passed on Catching Fire, the decision about his next project has been anxiously awaited. Well, we now we have that decision: Ross officially will be directing Peter And The Starcatchers.
Ross was rumored to be involved with the project about a month ago, and today The Film Stage confirmed that he would indeed helm the movie.
The film will be based off a 2004 novel published by Disney’s Hyperion and written by Dave Berry and Ridley Pierson. The book gives the back story of, you guessed it, Peter Pan. The novel has previously been adapted into a Broadway production that has been nominated for nine Tony awards.
This film sounds like it could end up being quite good, I mean who doesn’t love Peter Pan? I’m pretty excited to see this prequel on film, and very glad to see this world is being tackled in a new way, instead of trying to remake Hook or trying another live version of the animated classic.
Obviously the novel and the play have been successful, and Ross is a great choice considering the knack he’s shown for kids’ stories that maybe, beneath the surface, aren’t really for kids after all.
Production is expected to begin next year with a 2014 release being the goal.
Check out the synopsis for the novel below and share your thoughts on Gary Ross‘ decision in the comments section.
Don’t even think of starting this book unless you’re sitting in a comfortable chair and have lots of time. A fast-paced, impossible-to-put-down adventure awaits as the young orphan Peter and his mates are dispatched to an island ruled by the evil King Zarboff. They set sail aboard the Never Land, a ship carrying a precious and mysterious trunk in its cargo hold, and the journey quickly becomes fraught with excitement and danger.
Discover richly developed characters in the sweet but sophisticated Molly, the scary but familiar Black Stache, and the fearless Peter. Treacherous battles with pirates, foreboding thunderstorms at sea, and evocative writing immerses the reader in a story that slowly and finally reveals the secrets and mysteries of the beloved Peter Pan.
