CBS Films has optioned the supernatural high school novel BEASTLY, according to THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.
Set in the modern day, the book tells the tale of a teacher who is cursed by a student, which turns him into a hairy beast. Alex Flinn wrote the book, which HarperTeen published this past fall.
With the writers strike still in full swing, the project has no screenwriter, but the studio hopes to have the film ready for winter 2009.
During an investor conference, CBS CEO Leslie Moonves said the studio has optioned a second book, but didn't announce the title.
The new film unit of the TV heavyweight hopes to produce four to six films with budgets under $50 million per year. Over the past year, the studio has hired key execs to run the division, including Paramount vet Bruce Tobey as COO and former Columbia Pictures exec Amy Baer as President/CEO.
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