Author Garth Nix looks set to bring his novel Sabriel to the big screen, with plans the possible film of the first book in the ‘Old Kingdom' trilogy to Hollywood studios in late April.

‘While the film is not set up at a studio yet, we do have a "package" together,' Nix told WBN.

The author has assembled a co-writer (Dan Futterman, screenwriter of Capote), director (Anand Tucker, director of Shopgirl) and producers (Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner, of actor Brad Pitt's production company Plan B) to work on the film.

Futterman, who will co-write the screenplay with Nix, came on board after having been given the Sabriel by his friend (and Nix's US agent) Jill Grinberg several years ago. Futterman was ‘bowled over' by the book, while Nix said he was ‘blown away' by Futterman's screenplay for Capote.  While assembling a team the way Nix has is a selection process which usually comes after a book-to-film option has been sold, the author believes his decision to find the right people to bring the book to the screen will pay off and, in getting the film right, ‘will also pave the way for films of Lirael and Abhorsen.'

This article from Thorpe Bowker's Weekly Book Newsletter and Media Extra is reproduced by kind permission of Thorpe-Bowker, a division of R R Bowker LLC. © Copyright 2008, Thorpe-Bowker