Adaptations

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows will be split into two movies, to be filmed concurrently. The first will release November 2010 and the second May 2011. David Yates will direct and Steve Kloves will write. Warner Brothers Pictures Group president Jeff Robinov said, "We recognized that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is packed with vital plot points that complete the story arcs of all of its beloved characters. That said, we feel that the best way to do the book and its many fans justice is to expand the screen adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and release the film in two parts. We could not imagine the final chapter of the film franchise being in better hands than those of David Yates.”

Sarah Michelle Gellar is in talks to replace Kate Bosworth in Veronika Decides to Die. It’s based on Paulo Coelho’s novel about a depressed woman who finds the will to live after a suicide attempt that injures her heart, leaving her with only days to live.

Warner Brothers has the rights to Jeff Smith’s Bone comic book series. Depending on the eventual director it could go either CGI or live action.

Richard Saperstein has optioned Clifford Meth’s graphic novel Snaked. Meth says about the main character, "Timmons is an honest man working in the political mainstream who finds himself dysfunctioned by the dishonesty of politicians. Everyone around him is a bit of a snake... but he's the real deal insofar as he must shed his skin from time to time, and he can swallow your whole head if it isn't ridiculously large."

The rights to Valiant Comics’ Harbinger, have been acquired by Paramount. “Harbingers are humans with powers that can be unlocked by 'omega' harbingers. Teenage Pete Stanchek finds himself on a collision course with an older omega who used his gifts to become an evil industrialist.” It’ll be live action, and possibly a vehicle for Brett Ratner.

Paramount Pictures has the feature rights to Deouglas TenNapel’s graphic novel Monster Zoo, which will be published by Image in the spring. When an ancient idol is brought to a zoo, "the idol's spirit awakens and starts to mutate the caged animals. A group of teenagers must band together to try to stop the idol and the evil from destroying the world." Sam Raimi is attached, but only for producing since he’s prepping Drag Me to Hell right now.

Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment is producing the adaptation of Kazu Kibuishi's graphic novel Amulet, starring children Willow and Jaden Smith. The story is about a brother and sister who, after their father dies, move into their late great-grandfather's home. When their mother is lured into an undergroung world by a monster, they have to use an amulet to save her.

The manga Pride, by Yukari Ichigo, about two rival budding opera singers who become “best partners" will be made into a live action movie with a January 2009 release. It’ll star pop singer Stephanie and be directed by Shusuke Kaneko.

Meg Kunis and Mark Wahlberg will star in John Moore’s Max Payne movie adaptation. Wahlberg will be Payne, a cop haunted by tragically losing his family, and Kunis is an assassin who wants to avenge her sister’s death and joins forces with him while he’s in the middle of investigating murders and a conspiracy.

David Fincher will be in charge of a set of short stories based on the magazine Heavy Metal. It’ll have eight or nine animated segments with different directors. David Fincher, Kevin Eastman, and Tim Miller are signed on.