Skydance and Ted Melfi collaborate on film adaptation of John Flanagan’s “Ranger’s Apprentice” novels for young adults

EXCLUSIVE: Skydance took on the challenge of creating the best-selling series for young adults Apprentice ranger into a live-action film in hopes that it could become a franchise. Skydance took control of the John Flanagan book series and made a huge deal with it Hidden figures Helmer Ted Melfi is adapting, directing and producing the film. Kim Quinn will also serve as producer.

Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger will produce alongside Melfi and Quinn. Flanagan will executive produce and Matt Grimm will oversee Skydance.

I heard Melfi has a seven figure deal if the movie gets made. His task will be to create the first two parts – The ruins of Gorlan & The burning bridge – and launching a franchise focused on an orphan named Will who becomes an apprentice to a group of mysterious protectors known as the Rangers.

He becomes one of the most skilled trackers, archers and warriors in the service of the King of Araluen. Will strives to protect the Kingdom of Araluen from invaders, traitors, and other threats. He is accompanied on his adventures by his mentor Halt and his best friend Horace. The companions here are Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, young people with powers that they must get under control.

“The Rangers Apprentice and the focus on a group of orphans trying to figure out their purpose in the world is timeless, moving and cinematic,” Melfi told Deadline. “It’s exciting to have the opportunity to adapt it for the big screen. It is an honor to work with David, Dana, Don and Matt and the entire Skydance team. These people are truly passionate cinephiles who make films for the right reasons.”

Melfi will immediately start the task and was busy. Reteams with him are planned Saint Vincent with Melissa McCarthy and Bill Murray. It is written The Goat that McCarthy will star with Kevin Hart at Netflix, and plans to direct Murray The feathers, a comedy from Sony about a retired detective who uses his detective skills in a retirement home after his brother is found dead there. Howard Franklin writes it. He also produces it Everything excellentan adaptation of Matthew Quick (silver lining playbook) Novel written by Melfi and published with Angourie Rice, star of the upcoming film Mean girls redo and director Chandler Levack, with support from Spyglass.

Flanagan began to write Apprentice ranger in the form of a short story to get his young son to read. Things blossomed from there. In addition to the nineteenth volume Apprentice ranger Series, Skydance also acquired the rights to adapt Flanagan’s nine episodes The Brotherband Chronicles Books series.

Skydance is not the first to see potential for tent poles here. Previous efforts were by MGM/UA, Dick Cook Studios and Warner Bros. employed, but was never entirely successful. Melfi starts with a blank slate, but with a lot of mythology thanks to Flanagan, and Skydance think they’ve cracked it enough that they want it fast, while Ellison’s company continues to make big, ambitious strides.

Melfi is represented by UTA and attorney Kevin Marx at Gang Tire Ramer.