Mark Ordesky is perhaps best known as the New Line executive who oversaw the production of all three Lord of the Rings movies – but for his next trick, he’s moving away from Middle-Earth and focusing his attentions on space.
Ordesky, now with Amber Entertainment, will produce a film adaptation of Erich von Daniken’s controversial 1968 best-selling book, Chariots Of The Gods, which posited theories that alien civilisations had been visiting Earth for millions of years, had built many ancient landmarks, from the Pyramids to the Blackpool Pleasure Beach, and had even imbued mankind with intelligence via mating rituals, the horny little buggers.
If that all sounds a tad familiar, many films over the years have nodded in the direction of the theories, most recently Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull.
Von Daniken’s book has sold over 68 million copies – at least, on Earth - since it was first published. However, the film will not be a straight adaptation, but will instead be a science-fiction film. Probably a wise choice, all things considered.
Paradox Entertainment acquired the film rights, and their Fredrik Malmberg will produce along with Ordesky.