Gibson Jumps on Teen Trilogy
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Deals, Family Films, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand
In case you haven't noticed, the hot new Hollywood trend these days is to find a series of books that feature kids with mystical powers, buy up all the rights, and develop each book into a film with the intentions of producing the next blockbuster trilogy. Ever since The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter films demolished the box office, studios are constantly on the hunt for a hot new teen-related franchise.
Recently, Mel Gibson became the latest to purchase a ticket on the trend train after his Icon Productions optioned the rights to a trilogy by Libba Bray, tapping director Charles Sturridge (Lassie) to helm the first installment. According to Variety, the books "center on four rebel teens in Victorian England who gain power from access to a mysterious realm." Oohh, a historical Harry Potter -- I love it! The first two books in the series (A Great and Terrible Beauty, Rebel Angels) were both New York Times bestsellers; the third is due out next year. Surprisingly, there is no studio partner currently on the project. However, by the time I finish writing this, I'm sure one will climb onboard.
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Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. i am a huge fan of harry potter. i did not like the LOTR, because, well, who wants to watch 3-4hr movies about little hobbits walking to a volcano to destroy a ring? I also havent seen Narnia. I probably wouldn't like it either because i didnt enjoy the books as a kid. Harry Potter is amazing. Seeing as how the last book is being release next summer, and the last 3 movies will be filmed, one currently being filmed,(HP & the Order of the Pheonix.) it's slowly coming to an end, JKR isnt planning on righting any more Harry Potter books and its rumored she is tying up the characters futures and what happens in their lives at the end of the 7th book. obviously leaving not open for anymore books. ever. which makes me sad. so i am hoping this new Mel Gibson Trilogy will be good and magical enough to catch my attention and make me a fan, while i recover from Harry Potter ending.
Posted at 10:42AM on Jul 24th 2006 by kari ann
3. Yes! After I read those books I thought how good a movie would be out of them! If Mel Gibson is making them, they'll be amazing.
Posted at 8:25PM on Jul 25th 2006 by Kristen
4. I have always enjoyed fantasy. When I was growing up I saw all the disney cartoon movies and even into adulthood have seen them again. I now own the CD's where they're available. I hope Mel Gibson can make them as interesting as Walt Disney did for his movies.
Posted at 8:51PM on Jul 25th 2006 by Joseph Rogers
5. I was hoping that Mel Gibson would follow the lead of Cecil B. Demille and create a more modern "Ten Commandments" movie.
Posted at 8:58PM on Jul 25th 2006 by Mark Catanzareti
6. I couldnt agree more. It would be awesome to see a modern Ten Commandments!
Posted at 9:02PM on Jul 25th 2006 by Christy
7. excuse me but are not we forgetting the other 'harry potter'? Surely those of us who read hp have noticed 'Sword of Shannara''Elfstones of Shannara' and 'The Elcrys'.....Is Terry Brooks dead or what?
Posted at 9:19PM on Jul 25th 2006 by doug
8. As a big fan of Mel Gibsons and his fantastic film on Jesus..I must agree with Mark & Cristy...a remake of The Ten Commandments would be wonderful and MUCH MORE HELPFUL TO THE WORLD.
Posted at 9:31PM on Jul 25th 2006 by Mary Brault
9. to kari ann on the other hand who wants to sit for 2 hours watching some british mumbo jumbo personally I'm waiting for a movie about the tv show Then Came Bronson
Posted at 9:42PM on Jul 25th 2006 by Steve
10. Mel Gibson is one of the best actors ever and has become one of the leading writers or movie makers in this time of age. If he has anything to do with any movie whether it be acting or directing one it will be a movie to see. Harry Potter was interesting and great for all kinds of age groups. Although looking to be the next to produce a movie for the teens, you can bet Mel is looking for something to catch everyones eyes and be another box office smash.
Posted at 9:51PM on Jul 25th 2006 by jerry sicher
11. I've read the books and thought they were wonderful. I always get nervous when they turn books into movies; so few movies do the books justice. But Mel Gibson is good at what he does so I'm hoping for the best.
Posted at 9:58PM on Jul 25th 2006 by Nicole
12. "i did not like the LOTR, because, well, who wants to watch 3-4hr movies about little hobbits walking to a volcano to destroy a ring?" (kari ann)
Nobody. Nobody was interested in those movies at all. I felt sorry for Peter Jackson. All those empty theaters...
Posted at 10:01PM on Jul 25th 2006 by djr
13. I think Mel should stick with Biblical films. I wish he would make a movie about the last book of the Bible, Revelation. Maybe the book of Daniel or Job or a lot of others. I'm sure a lot of people would enjoy those. The Song of Solomon would be a little too erotic for the big screen. I don't attend the movies but I would maybe buy or rent the DVD.
Posted at 10:15PM on Jul 25th 2006 by JosephAllenCavin
14. The Lord Of The Rings movies are the best movies ever made. It's sad to me that people would minimize it to a 3-4 hour movie about little hobbits walking to a volcano to destroy a ring when they are, when given a chance, so much more than that.
Posted at 10:20PM on Jul 25th 2006 by Rob
15. Who wants to see little hobbits running around to destroy a ring? That comment is ignorant. If that is all you got from the story (book or movie), please go back to high school english class and learn how to recognize and interpret the deeper meanings to stories. Thank you.
Onto topic, Mel Gibson has proven to be a great director and writer. Anything he comes out with will definately be worth seeing.
Posted at 10:31PM on Jul 25th 2006 by Brian
16. I wish Mel would get involved in making movies from the LEFT BEHIND series of books written by Tim LeHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. They ARE about The Book of Revelations. There is SO MUCH power in the series of books. Brought to life by the right film maker, such as Mel Gibson, would be a truly AWESOME thing!
Posted at 10:32PM on Jul 25th 2006 by Cherry
17. Maybe "jesus freak" gibson and his father "holocaust never happened" gibson can team up and re-write more history.
gibson is a pathetic sellout
Posted at 10:33PM on Jul 25th 2006 by hurricane andrew
18. I love Libba Bray's books. I'm excited for the third book... I think Mel Gibson would do a good job on the movies. There shouldn't be a lot to interpret in the books so I think as long as they stick to the book with no real changes I think they'll be good. (I would like to see Gibson do a Ten Commandments film that would be great)
Posted at 10:42PM on Jul 25th 2006 by Kait
19. If all you think in LOTR is that hobbits just run around and try to destroy a ring, you are sadly mistaken. LOTR is probably one of the best trilogies of all time. But anyway, i cant wait till the these movies come out, Mel Gibson is amazing at what he does. It will be awesome
Posted at 10:44PM on Jul 25th 2006 by jmc
20. to:hurricane andrew, thank you. mel gibson has gone from a pop culture icon to an arrogant, ridiculous movie making nightmare. gee, i can't wait for him to tell us all what happened to the mayan empire.
Posted at 10:47PM on Jul 25th 2006 by bamaxxx
1. I did not enjoy all the sequels of Harry Potter but I definitely enjoyed 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Chronicles of Narnia'. I am waiting for this one. Lets see how it goes.
Posted at 6:51AM on Jul 24th 2006 by S.M.Mehdi Hassan