A book for kids that features teenagers venturing into a strange netherworld, you say? Somebody get Hollywood on the phone!
Yes, Universal has snapped up another novel in the endless hunt for a new family franchise. Though this time it has a slight twist. Neal Shusterman’s Everlost sees two teens (Nick and Allie) riding in separate cars that end up crashing into each other. They find themselves in the titular weird netherworld, trapped between life and death and discovering that the place is populated with young people from across history. Oh, and there are villains lurking within, too.
"We liked the characters, and the idea that it was an action adventure story that had no wizards or dragons, that wasn't driven by magic like so many of these films are," producer Allison Thomas told Variety. "This is an alternative universe, almost Peter Pan-ish, with its own set of rules and two strong lead characters trying to find their way back to their families."
Shusterman will adapt his own story for the screen and Seabiscuit’s Gary Ross is planning to direct. And nab yourself a gold star if you predicted that, yes, more Everlost books are on the way.