February 13, 2013 - 10:32 AMT
“Alexander” scribe to pen “Shadow and Bone” fantasy adaptation

Christopher Kyle is in negotiations to adapt Shadow and Bone, DreamWorks’ adaptation of the YA fantasy from Leigh Bardugo, The Hollywood Reporter said.

Harry Potter producer David Heyman is producing, as is Jeffrey Clifford (Up in the Air). The first book of the intended trilogy takes place in a land under attack by a swath of darkness filled with creatures that feast on human flesh. A young woman discovers she has a dormant power that could be a key to turning the tide and is taken to be trained by her country’s magical elite.

The book was published in June by Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, with DreamWorks picking up the rights in September.

The book debuted on the New York Times’ best-seller list, went back for a third printing and had the rare distinction of being an Amazon "Book of the Month" pick for both the children’s and adult categories.

Kyle, repped by ICM Partners and Brillstein Entertainment Partners, penned K-19: Widowmaker and co-wrote The Weight of Water, both of which were directed by Kathryn Bigelow, and worked on Oliver Stone’s Alexander, which starred Colin Farrell and Angelina Jolie.

Last year, he adapted Ron Rash’s novel Serena, which shot with Susanne Bier behind the camera and Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence top-lining the period drama. The picture is in the midst of seeking a distributor.