ONTD

David Slade to Direct Young Adult Story ‘Matched’ for Disney



Are you tired of movies based on young adult novels about dystopian futures? No? Good — because Disney has just hired director David Slade to tackle ‘Matched,’ based on the YA novel by Ally Condie, and surprise! It’s about a dystopian future society!


According to Deadline, the House of Mouse has just signed David Slade to direct ‘Matched,’ based on the young adult fiction novel by Ally Condie. The story takes place in a dystopian future society, which is apparently the only kind of society suitable for tweens (accurate). Cassia Reyes lives in a world where algorithms are used to determine who its citizens will marry when they turn 17, so it’s sort of like if eHarmony were given the power of legislation.

The matches show up on items called “microcards,” but Cassia has two matches on hers — scandal! And one of them is what her society deems an “aberration” — double scandal! Cassia starts spending time with both of her suitors, Ky and Xander, and tries to figure out the man with whom she’s truly meant to be.

‘Matched’ bears all the hallmarks of modern young adult fiction: dystopian future society with limited choice (also known as “Mitt Romney’s Happy Place”), science-fiction elements, and most importantly, love. You know, all that stuff kids really care about these days. Noticeably absent: Taylor Swift and Facebook.

Slade is best known for directing ‘Hard Candy,’ ’30 Days of Night,’ and ‘The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.’

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WB Snags Impending Sci-Fi Young Adult Novel 'The Planet Thieves'



The pursuit of the next Hunger Games franchise at the movie studios continues and Warner Bros. has a new property they'll be trying to turn into a hit blockbuster film. Deadline has word that the studio has snagged the rights to The Planet Thieves, a forthcoming young adult novel by False Memory author Dan Krokos.



The book, hitting shelves next May, follows Mason Stark, a 13-year old cadet in the Earth Space Command who must lead his fellow cadets in a daring surprise attack to retake the SS Egypt from a deadly alien race who has killed the entire crew, and recover a stolen technology that could spell the end of planet Earth.

Harry Potter franchise producer David Heyman and his Heyday Films banner will produce the adaptation that sounds like a great sci-fi adventure. Much like Ender's Game, this will also be a great role for a young actor looking for a breakthrough performance. Since Asa Butterfield (Hugo) already has the aforementioned sci-fi adaptation locked down, maybe Kodi-Smit McPhee (Let Me In, ParaNorman) could lead this project? It's hard to say whether the film will land a solid audience since the book doesn't hit until next year, but the studio will likely wait to see how the book sells before moving forward. Interested?

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YA is slowly taking over Hollywood....what say you, ONTD?