Columbia sees a franchise in ‘Deryni’
Columbia Pictures is bringing Katherine Kurtz’s “Deryni Rising” to the big screen.
In a six-figure deal, the studio has picked up “Deryni” as a spec by Alex Sabeti. Jimmy Miller is producing via his Mosaic banner.
“Deryni” is a historical fantasy novel first published in 1970 that launched Kurtz’s “Deryni Kingdom” series that, almost 40 years later, encompasses five trilogies, short stories and reference books.
The story is set in a medieval kingdom of humans alongside the Deryni, a race of people with psychic and magical abilities. The first novel centers on a young prince who, after the death of his father the king, must defend his throne from a Deryni usurper.
- from THR
Helmer wins ‘Battle’ with filmed pitch
Jonathan Liebesman is in negotiations to direct “Battle: Los Angeles,” a sci-fi actioner Neal Moritz and his Original Films are producing for Columbia.
The story follows one Marine platoon’s encounter in the battle against an alien invasion on the streets of Los Angeles.
The studio picked up the spec by Chris Bertolini pre-emptively in April, and Moritz was bullish on making it as soon as possible.
- from THR
Columbia is fulla ‘Animals’
Columbia has picked up “Animals,” a high-concept spec script by newcomer Mike Sobel. Neal Moritz is producing via his Original Films banner. The horror thriller’s central idea is that all the planet’s animals turn on humans, from wild creatures to pets.
