He directed short segments in New York, I Love You and Venice 70, but we haven't seen a feature from director Shekhar Kapur since 2007's Elizabeth: The Golden Age. That's about to change, however, with the news that he's signed on to the YA adaptation **Tiger's Curse. Julie Plec (The Vampire Diaries) wrote the screenplay based on Colleen Houck's novel.
The first in a saga that currently runs to four books and a novella, Tiger's Curse involves young Kelsey Hayes. In the market for a summer job before university, she finds herself in the unlikely position of looking after a white tiger called Dhiren in a travelling circus. Agreeing to be responsible for transporting the tiger back to India after he's been sold, she finds herself key to an ancient Indian curse. Cue globetrotting Lara Croft-type adventures with a dash of supernatural romance for good measure.
“Colleen Houck has created a brilliant story of a young girl's journey through amazing adventures in the discovery of herself; of who she really is,” says Kapur. “Yes there are tigers, amazing backdrops, heart stopping action and of course love. But at its center is an enthralling exploration of a young American teenager's heart. Her desires. Her fears. Her mission and how she wins. I am super excited to direct this film.”
There's no start date or cast yet, but the production will be looking for deals at the American Film Market.