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Producer Charles Roven Developing The Looking Glass Wars Movie

by Ethan Anderton
November 13, 2009
Source: ComingSoon

It's always fun to take an established story and manipulate the so-called "happily ever after" ending. Steven Spielberg making Peter Pan grow up with Hook, or Hansel and Gretel becoming professional witch hunters are just a couple of fine examples. Now it looks like The Dark Knight producer Charles Roven is set to play in the world of Wonderland as this morning on Good Morning America (via ComingSoon) author Frank Beddor announced that he has been working with Roven to adapt his series of novels collectively known as The Looking Glass Wars, which have a much different take on the classic Alice in Wonderland story.

In this rather interesting take on that story, it claims that Leiws Caroll's two preceding books (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass) were nothing but lies and that this is the true story. Beddor's version features twists on the original story, such as the white rabbit actually being Alyss' (Alice's) tutor, Bibwit Harte, and that the Mad Hatter is actually a very agile, sober bodyguard named Hatter Madigan. Here's Amazon's more detailed plot summary (which explains the Alyss/Alice name difference):

Alyss Heart, heir to the Wonderland throne, is forced to flee when her vicious aunt Redd murders her parents, the King and Queen of Hearts. She escapes through the Pool of Tears to Victorian London, but she finds she has no way home. Adopted by the Liddells, who christen her Alice Liddell and disapprove of her wild stories about Wonderland, Alyss begs Charles Dodgson to tell her real story. Even though he writes "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," she knows no one believes her. Years go by, with Alice repressing her memories. Then royal bodyguard Hatter Madigan, determined to start a war for Wonderland's throne, crashes her wedding.

And, of course, all hell breaks loose. When asked about the potential to bring his series to the big screen, Beddor replied: "I am working with the producer of The Dark Knight, Charles Roven, so we're putting it together, and it's pretty exciting to think about it as a movie. It's a really visual world so we'll see. I'm just trying to get my neighbor Angelina Jolie to play her." ComingSoon points out that the host had to cut the interview there so it's unclear if Beddor wanted Jolie for Alyss or a more villainous role as Aunt Redd. This sounds quite exciting, and I can't wait to see what kind of creative people Roven gets behind this project. Though this isn't exactly official, we'll be looking forward to hearing a lot more about this in the future.

Filed under Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

Knawx

I've been waiting for this announcement since I read the first book a few years ago. I believe the story will translate to film very well, as long as it's handled correctly. Hatter Madigan is a bad a** as is the Cat. I was hoping T. Burton would do these, but probably not as he is already doing the original Alice in Wonderland.
Cody

Had no knowledge of any of this.....sounds very mysterious and original.
S

Definitly has an interesting plot. I could see Jolie as the villain. Now, can we please get an adaptation of the book Wicked?! And not like the cheery play.
- Karmabytesass
  
  Omg are you talking about the wicked as in the one with the deveraus (god I can't remember how to spell it) and the curse and the black fire and such?!
Dan W

I didn't really understand most of the plat description. But it could be ok.
Sabes

This sounds really good.
beavis

it sounds good..........but inkheart sounded good too - and i hated it. but, i'll be hopeful with this........i'm not familiar with these books but the story sounds great.
SS

Well.. it sounds a bit like what would have happened if Pan's Labyrinth was directed and conceptualized by Michael Bay....
RStewie

Oh, this sounds fantastic! I'd LOVE to see this. I'm going to pick up those books to see what's what.
Leena

i love these books!! im soo glad to hear that they are seriously considering making them into movies. im not sure though if angelina should play Redd though....she might make a good genneveive though.
Jillian

I'm so unbelievably excited! I've been following the books since they came out and they're so amazing. I don't think the movie will do the series justice, but I'm excited to see who they cast. I could definitely picture Angelina Jolie as Redd Hart. It's mildly disappointing because it will be coming out after the Tim Burton adaption of Alice in Wonderland. Being a HUGE Looking Glass Wars fan, I think the new Alice in Wonderland movie looks way too over the top and ridiculous, so I'm hoping the Looking Glass Wars will be a bit more original and exciting. I look forward to hearing more!
Madison

I swear to God if they mess up this movie like they did with Blood and Chocolate, or like someone said, Inkheart (which I actually didn't read...), I'm going to have to go postal!! Do a movie right, or don't do it at all!!! That said, I'm SO excited, I'm going to have a spazz attack when I see the Official Trailer