Walden Media Fast Tracks Development for Three Award-Winning Kids' Novels
Rights Acquired for Newbery Award Winning Bridge to Terabithia and Los Angeles Times Best Books for Children Honoree Nim's IslandFebruary 4, 2004
LOS ANGELES - Continuing to add to its library of award-winning novel adaptations, Walden Media has acquired the rights to Newbery Award winning novel Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson and Australian author Wendy Orr's award-winning book Nim's Island, it was announced today by Walden CEO Cary Granat.
The company also announced that Todd Alcott, whose writing credits include Antz and the upcoming Samurai Jack, has been signed to adapt Lois Lowry's 1994 Newbery Award winning novel, The Giver. Walden Media has partnered with four time Academy Award® nominee Jeff Bridges and his AsIs Productions and RCN Entertainment (RCNE) to produce.
"These three projects are consistent with the overall Walden Media mission to create quality entertainment that engages and enlightens the audience," said Granat. "Walden continues to develop films and accompanying educational outreach programs that will carry forth the vision of these authors who have entrusted us with their work."
"What links the magical world of Terabithia, the adventure of Nim's Island and the future vision of The Giver is a fantastic proactive child at the center of each story," said Alex Schwartz, Executive Vice President of Production of Walden Media, "Like Holes and The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, we are thrilled at the prospect of bringing three more classic children's novels to the screen and to a whole new audience."
Bridge to Terabithia
Gabor Csupo (producer Rugrats Go Wild!, The Wild Thornberry's Movie) is on board to direct Bridge to Terabithia as his first live action project. Lauren Levine (I Am David) will produce the film with the author's son, David Paterson. Julie Daggett, production executive at Walden Media will oversee the project reporting to Schwartz.
Published in 1977 and translated into over two-dozen languages to date, Bridge to Terabithia tells the powerful story of an eleven-year-old boy whose life is changed forever when he befriends the class outsider—who happens to be a girl. Together Jess and Leslie create the world of Terabithia, an imaginary kingdom filled with giants and trolls and all manner of magical beings. While the real world of family and school may be filled with difficulties, in Terabithia they rule as King and Queen. By the movie's end, they will have to pull all the strength they can from the great legacy of Terabithia in order to cope with an unexpected tragedy.
Nim's Island
Paula Mazur (Corrina, Corrina) will produce Nim's Island and adapt the book with screenwriter Joseph Kwong ("Dr. SeussTales," PBS). Production executive Evan Turner who also reports to Schwartz will oversee the project at Walden Media.
Named one of the "Best Books for Children of 2001" by the Los Angeles Times, Nim's Island is a heartfelt and hilarious adventure that chronicles the exploits of Nim, a young girl living a high-tech Robinson Crusoe existence on an unspoiled tropical island with her scientist father and her best friends—a motherly sea lion, a rambunctious iguana, and a sea turtle. When Nim's father embarks on a day of research at sea, she begins an unlikely e-mail communication with an agoraphobic novelist who lives in New York City. When a storm prevents her father's return and unpredictable dangers confront Nim and the Island, she must find the resources to survive. At the same time, the novelist begins to realize that her pen pal is a little girl who is alone and in trouble, she also has to dig down for the courage to leave her safe haven and rescue Nim.
The Giver
The Giver is the riveting story of Jonas, a 12-year-old boy living in an idyllic future society where all memory of human history has been erased. The sole keeper of the vast range of human emotions that are unknown to the larger community is "The Giver," a man chosen as an adviser, whose unique access to knowledge isolates him from the rest of society. Jonas' simple life is thrown into turmoil when he is designated to inherit the Giver's dangerous yet prestigious role. Under The Giver's instruction, Jonas begins to learn increasingly chilling truths about the world he lives in. This growing knowledge sparks the flame of true rebellion in Jonas as he defies his society and risks his own life to save a child in jeopardy.
About Walden Media
Founded by Cary Granat, former president of Miramax Films' Dimension label, and leading educator Micheal Flaherty, Walden Media (http://www.walden.com/) produces films, television shows, live theatre, books and interactive media that strive to inspire, engage, enlighten and entertain. Walden believes that quality entertainment is inherently educational and can capture the audience's imagination, rekindle curiosity and demonstrate the rewards of learning.
Walden Media is a subsidiary of The Anschutz Company. The Denver-based company is one of the largest privately owned and operated ventures in the U.S. Its affiliated companies are principally engaged in telecommunications and media, natural resources, transportation, real estate, sports and entertainment.
Walden Media, in association with The Walt Disney Company, released Ghosts of the Abyss, a 3-D large format James Cameron film and Holes, the adaptation of Louis Sachar's Newbery Award-winning novel in 2003 to critical and box office success. Walden will re-team with Disney this year on Around the World in 80 Days starring Jackie Chan, Steve Coogan, Jim Broadbent, Cecile De France and a star-studded cast of cameo appearances. The film is currently in post-production. The company is also making the first live-action feature film adaptations of C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, beginning with The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe to be directed by Andrew Adamson (Shrek). Walden Media has also teamed with renowned television and stage producer Douglas Love to establish the first ever Walden Family Playhouse, a live children's theatre.
