NARNIA partners Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media will reteam to produce the film adaptation of Katherine Paterson's Newberry Medal-winning children's novel, BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA, reports VARIETY. Gabor Csupo, co-founder of Klasky Csupo, will make his live-action directing debut on the film. Jeff Stockwell is adapting the script. Disney will be co-financier and U.S. distributor with Walden retaining international rights.
Walden acquired rights to the 1977 book more than three years ago, originally developing the project at Fox via its production with the studio, which was sealed in summer 2004. After Fox and Walden decided to not produce the project, Walden took the film to Disney, who has put the film on the fast track with production set to begin in February in New Zealand. The release is scheduled for spring 2007.
The book chronicles the tale of an 11-year-old boy who befriends an ostracized tomboy. Together they create the imaginary world of Terabithia, where giants, trolls and other magical beings live.
Lauren Levine (I AM DAVID) will produce along with the author's son, David Paterson. Walden evp of production Alex Schwartz and creative exec David Kaufmann will shepherd for the studio. Brigham Taylor will oversee for Disney.
Rick DeMott
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