LATEST NEWS

Matt Reeves and Jacob Aaron Estes Team Up for 'This Dark Endeavor'

by Ethan Anderton
May 24, 2011

Back in February we heard that Summit Entertainment had picked up the rights to Kenneth Oppel's forthcoming novel This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein. Now they have quite a duo for directing and writing the feature as Deadline reports Let Me In and Cloverfield helmer Matt Reeves will be directing the film from a script by Mean Creek writer and director Jacob Aaron Estes. The story follows a young Victor Frankenstein as he attempts to find the three rare ingredients needed to create the Elixir of Life in order to save his twin brother, Konrad, who has become gravely ill.

For a little more in depth look at the story, here's the book's official synopsis:

Victor and Konrad are the twin brothers Frankenstein. They are nearly inseparable. Growing up, their lives are filled with imaginary adventures…until the day their adventures turn all too real.

They stumble upon The Dark Library, and secret books of alchemy and ancient remedies are discovered. Father forbids that they ever enter the room again, but this only piques Victor's curiosity more. When Konrad falls gravely ill, Victor is not be satisfied with the various doctors his parents have called in to help. He is drawn back to The Dark Library where he uncovers an ancient formula for the Elixir of Life. Elizabeth, Henry, and Victor immediately set out to find assistance in a man who was once known for his alchemical works to help create the formula.

Determination and the unthinkable outcome of losing his brother spur Victor on in the quest for the three ingredients that will save Konrads life. After scaling the highest trees in the Strumwald, diving into the deepest lake caves, and sacrificing one’s own body part, the three fearless friends risk their lives to save another.

However, at this time, it's not clear how soon the project will go into production. Likely Estes still has to write the script, and in addition, Reeves already has two other projects he's been developing. One is another vampire centric story called The Passage, while the other is an adaptation of the Ray Nelson short story 8 O'Clock in the Morning. A teaming of Estes (who also wrote and directed The Details which I enjoyed at Sundance earlier this year) with Reeves sounds like quite a dynamic duo, so I'm definitely keen on seeing this come together relatively soon. How about you?

Find more posts: Development, Movie News

2 Comments

New comments are no longer allowed on this post.