Monday, March 19, 2012

Airborn The Movie: Take Two

One of the questions I am most frequently asked by readers is: "When is Airborn going to be turned into a movie?" I still don't have a definitive answer to that, but I  can at least tell you that it's recently taken a step closer.

In 2004-2006 the book was developed by Universal Pictures and the Sommers Company (The Mummy, Van Helsing, G.I. Joe) and they commissioned a script that, to my mind, had astonishingly little to do with my novel. The screenwriters gutted the plot, took out the cloud cats altogether, and left behind two characters called Matt and Kate and a storyline involving mystical urns. (In case you haven't read the novel, there is not even one mystical urn.)

Airborn is a special book for me, and I decided that, if at all possible, in future, I would try to have a bit more control over what happened to any film adaptation.

So I am very pleased to be able to tell you that I have optioned the book to Halifax Films and Oscar-winning producer Michael Donovan (Bowling for Columbine, Shake Hands With the Devil). I will be writing the first draft of the screenplay, and will act as an executive producer on the project.

So here's hoping for an excellent second take!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Half Brother nominated for UKLA award

The UK Literary Association has included Half Brother in its 2012 shortlist for best children's book for twelve to sixteen year-olds. I'm delighted to be in the company of celebrated UK writers like Kevin Brooks, Patrick Ness and Andy Mulligan. This is the first time a book of mine has been nominated for this award.The full shortlist is below.

Long Lankin, Lindsey Barraclough

iBoy. Kevin Brooks

Being Billy, Phil Earle

Trash, Andy Mulligan

A Monster Calls, Patrick Ness Illus. Jim Kay

Half Brother, Kenneth Oppel