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New Progress on Adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Graveyard Book
by Alex Billington
May 28, 2010
Source: Deadline, Heat Vision
If you're a fan of Coraline/Stardust author Neil Gaiman you may remember reading an article in January stating that the adaptation of The Graveyard Book that was in the works was apparently a dead project because it was a Miramax film and they're still trying to figure out what's going on. Good news, as Deadline and Heat Vision ran articles today announcing a partnership between Chris Columbus' 1492 Pictures and South Korean media company CJ Entertainment (of The Host, Thirst, Mother previously). The companies have selected three project to develop first and it just so happens that The Graveyard Book is one of them!
The Graveyard Book is being adapted as a live-action feature to be written and directed by Neil Jordan (The Crying Game, The Brave One, Ondine). The story is Gaiman's nod to The Jungle Book where a young boy is raised by the ghostly, ghoulish occupants of a graveyard, instead of animals. It sounds like the project is moving forward the exact same as it was earlier this year. Wayfare Entertaiment, Framestore (the visual effects company) and Gaiman will also produce, and CJ will co-finance the film and distribute in Korea and Japan. "The projects we are developing together meet our shared goal of producing movies for the global audience," Columbus said. "We see this as just the beginning of many terrific movies together." I hope so!
The other two projects they've selected to develop are also adaptations, but neither of them have directors:
Killer Pizza - An "action-packed, coming-of-age" comedy about a 14-year old kid who lands a summer job at a pizza joint which serves pies like The Monstrosity and The Frankensausage, but is actually a front for a monster-hunting organization. Sounds like Monster Squad meets Men in Black. Adam Green (Hatchet, Frozen) is adapting the Greg Taylor novel and Rafaella de Laurentiis will also produce.
Carpe Demon - This novel tells the tale of a stay-at-home mother who is charged with cleaning up her demon-plagued small town. Based on Julie Kenner's novel Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom. This originally was set up at Warner Bros, but is now a 1492/CJ project. Earlier drafts of the script were written by Kevin & Dan Hageman and Michael Dougherty (Trick 'r Treat) & Dan Harris.
All three of these upcoming projects sound pretty damn cool and I'm glad there's at least a few good people who are looking for unique ideas like this instead of the typical rom-com or tentpole behemoth. I haven't ever read The Graveyard Book, but I'm still excited to see the movie partially as a follow-up to Coraline and also because I think it'll make for a great film in the hands of Neil Jordan. In the update in January, Gaiman complained about how hard it was to get financing. "These days we're in this strange and fascinating world where it seems that even movie studios don't have the money to make movies anymore." Well, it looks like they're past the hard part, now they just need to get it cast and fullly greenlit next. We'll keep you updated!
11 Comments
1
Gaiman is a genius. I actually haven't read this one, but American Gods, Coraline, InterWorld (co-authored), Stardust, Anansi Boys, Neverwhere, all his shorts, etc. are some of the greatest stories and novels i have ever read. His stuff is made from and for the imagination. I have no doubt that with him at least producing this, it will be fantastic. Even the films based on his mind are good (MirrorMask, Stardust). It seems like anything he touches turns to gold (he worked on stuff like Princess Mononoke and Beowulf). I was sad that this project was basically gone, so im super excited to hear this! Everyone should read his work.
Ian Kuah on May 28, 2010
2
Just keep Chris Columbus as far away as possible
klausey on May 28, 2010
3
No love for Monster Hunter International??
harm on May 28, 2010
4
Wonderful book, great choice of director.
Dark Fist on May 29, 2010
5
Graveyard is an amazing book, and a great choice for a movie, me thinks maybe neil gaimen should try adapting american gods next 🙂
Graham on May 30, 2010
6
The Graveyard Book is great and takes about an hour to read. I really recommend that everyone invest the time.
Jocelyn on May 30, 2010
7
I can't believe they are making a movie from this book! I went on a Gaiman reading rampage last summer and absolutely loved the visualization emitted from this one. I hope the movie does the book justice!! 🙂 @Graham: An American Gods movie would be fantastic!!!!!
Amanda on May 31, 2010
8
Please.....Good Omens............I beg of you...........gasp...........
deb on May 31, 2010
9
Loved Graveyard short and really enjoyed the book i am really looking forward to this movie. I would love to see American Gods made in to a movie any chance??? I used up one paper back and am on my second and have a first ed hard back . one question was the Neverwhere project scraped ? thanks for this forum love it!! R P Hayes
R P Hayes on Jun 1, 2010
10
Neil Gaiman is a Scientologist and is underwriting Scientology. The Scientologists list Neil Gaiman him in the Cornerstone Newsletter along with Mary Gaiman, as contributing $35,000.00 in 2009. Being listed in the Cornerstone Newsletter means you are in good-standing with the cult. In 2010, Mary Gaiman was awarded the "Gold Humanitarian Award" for her contribution of $500,000.00 to Scientology. This is significant because Mary Gaiman continues to be Neil Gaiman’s business partner in The Blank Corporation, which is now Neil Gaiman's Scientology front and how he pays the cult. Gaiman is also the "Vitamin Heir" of Scientology. The Gaiman family owns G&G Vitamins which reaps 6 million a year from selling The Purification Rundown Vitamins. Gaiman's two sisters, Claire Edwards and Lizzie Calciole are not just high-ranking Scientologists, they are the head of RECRUITING and the head of Wealden House, the Scientology stronghold in East Grinstead. These two cannot associate with Neil unless he is in good standing.
clam watcher on Jun 17, 2010
11
well hey thiss is ana just telling u guys bout the graveyard book it is very cool just waiting to see the movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!have cool days
ana on Oct 21, 2010
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