There are some things that I always dreamt about, like finally being able to get a book deal. THEN there are the things that are so crazy I didn't even know to dream about them:
CBS Films has bought the movie rights to Legend, with Temple Hill's Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen (Twilight Saga, Nativity Story, Dear John) to produce! My amazing book and film agents, Kristin Nelson (NLA) and Kassie Evashevski (UTA) brokered the deal. I love them with the intensity of a thousand suns!!
Deadline's news article about it: "CBS Films Makes Franchise Play With Marie Lu Novel 'Legend'"
And here's CBS Films' press release about it:
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CBS FILMS ACQUIRES MARIE LU’S FORTHCOMING NOVEL
LEGEND
TEMPLE HILL’S MARTY BOWEN AND WYCK GODFREY TO PRODUCE
LOS ANGELES – February 4, 2011 – CBS Films today announced that the company has secured exclusive rights to Marie Lu’s futuristic thriller Legend. Penguin Group has set the first novel in the series for publication in November 2011. Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey (The Twilight Saga, Dear John) will develop and produce.
In a dark future, North America has split into two warring nations. The story follows Day, a young Robin Hood, and June, the teen prodigy hired to hunt him down; together they uncover an impossible truth about their totalitarian leaders. The adventure that follows will become Legend.
“The character of Day, a roguish teen outlaw on the run, has been in my head since high school. One night, I was watching an old time detective movie on TV when the idea of Day vs. the gifted teen June came to me,” said Lu. “I'm beyond thrilled about CBS Films' support for Legend, and the instant I spoke with Temple Hill I could tell that they really got the characters and the story. It couldn't be in better hands. I can't wait to see what they have in store."
Lu has planned the series as a trilogy and will be involved on the scripting phase as an Executive Producer. Temple Hill exec Isaac Klausner brought Legend to the attention of Godfrey and Bowen. Godfrey said, "Marie's book struck me first as a Dickens story by way of Ray Bradbury. It's both gothic epic romance and vivid science fiction. It will make a stunning movie."
“I have known Marty and Wyck for years, and have been eager to bring them to CBS Films. They have proven to have a great instinct for intellectual properties that have both emotional resonance and commercial potential,” commented CBS Films President and CEO, Amy Baer.
“In Legend, Lu has created an expansive world with franchise potential,” added CBS Films COO, Wolfgang Hammer who, in his first deal, moved quickly to pre-empt the book. He continued, “This project is a perfect example of theatrical content with dynamic digital possibilities that CBS Films is now focusing on.”
Senior Vice President of Production Maria Faillace and Creative Executive Ryan Conroy will oversee the project for CBS Films. CBS Films has rights to the entire trilogy as well as any sequels and spinoffs. Lu, Bowen and Godfrey are represented by UTA.
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I'm over the moon with excitement. The Temple Hill guys are incredibly nice and very excited, and I'm beyond thrilled with CBS Films's support. Of course, now I'm just surfing the net giddily looking for photos of actors that could play Day or June. Not my most productive morning....but I'm ok with that. :)
37 comments:
Oh wow, that's such a great news! I'm so happy for you!
congrats, marie! i haven't read "legend" yet, but i'm planning to do so very soon. i know that the character of day is a mongolian-russian mix. is the character of june also a mongolian or asian-mix? i can't wait to hear of casting news. i think it would be great to feature new up and coming asian actors in your roles.
So awesome that you'll be involved in the scripting stage, and hopefully this rights news will bring more publicity and love to the book :-)
I saw this news on goodreads and was like "Wow!" And that's all I can really say because saying anything else won't match the awesome that is having your book turned into a movie :)
But I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they don't Last Airbender-fy your main character.
Congratulations on the movie deal! I hope you get enough sleep with all this extra work you now get to do.
Thank you SO much, guys! I'm still reeling from all the excitement...
Anon: Thank you! Legend isn't out yet (it comes out in November of this year) but I really hope you enjoy it when it does come out! And yes, June is a mix too--most of the characters are, although their ethnicities don't have anything to do with the story or their personalities. Day is Mongol/Russian, while June is a big mix of Native American, Hispanic, and Caucasian. So she has a bit of an exotic look about her too. There's a Japanese-mix girl in the story named Kaede, and the dictator of the Republic is Greek.
And yes--I would love if a few Asian actors made it into the casting!
OMG!!! That is just unbelievable--not only did you sell the movie rights on your first book, you get to be executive producer?! OMG! That's insane--I am SO, SO happy for you, Marie! I really hope Legend takes off and explodes bigger than Twilight, etc! Lol, maybe my well wishes are a little biased, being a fellow Asian-American Cali girl who's rooting for you both on the "hometown pride" front and the "finally, an Asian-American author getting some serious acclaim outside the A-A Lit genre!" front, but seriously. From what I know of it, I have a feeling I'm really going to love Legend as a story in its own right too, so I figured I should just start rooting for you now. ;-) Can't wait to read it, and seriously hoping the positive energy will keep on flowing with rave critic reviews and bestseller-list-topping sales!
Wow Alexis, thank you SO much for the kind words! :D They mean the world to me. And woot for A-A cali girls, haha! I'm so glad you like Legend's premise, and hope you enjoy the book when it comes out!
This is SO AWESOME, Marie Lu! I can't tell you how excited I am for you...and for Legend! Congratulations!!!
I guarantee you the only Asian people you will see in this movie are background/sidekick characters.
If you wanted Asians in the main roles, you should have made that CLEAR in the books and especially when you signing the big contracts.
But, more than likely that means your work wouldn't sell and the studios wouldn't buy it.
OMG, Marie, congratulations!!! That is fantastic.
Oh man! This blog is amazing. How do you make it look like this ?
The first assumption I'm going to make, however is that you have a projector with which to play your movie Legends on. Because, without that you won't be able to even view them. You're also going to need a video camera to record the projected image on. This can be any modern video camera, tape if that's all you've got but digital would save yourself a step later on.
Miss Lu, will you please let me audition for this?! Oh my, i really want to...
First of all your book is absolutly amazing. I've read Harry Potter, Twilight, Percy Jackson, The Hunger Games and many more and your book is definetly battling for the top spot on my favorite list. I Love your book to pieces! A friend lent to me who is asian and he told me it was amazing. I'm glad I listened to him. I also wantd to say I actually wanted to start an acting carrer and I look around 15 and my friends have told me I look like June because I am half white and half hispanic. So I wanted to know if maybe you could consider me and I also just wanted you to know your book is amazing! My e-mail is bella_rosa101@yahoo.com if you want to know anymore. Thank you so much! KEEP WRITING!!!
First of all your book is absolutly amazing. I've read Harry Potter, Twilight, Percy Jackson, The Hunger Games and many more and your book is definetly battling for the top spot on my favorite list. I Love your book to pieces! A friend lent to me who is asian and he told me it was amazing. I'm glad I listened to him. I also wantd to say I actually wanted to start an acting carrer and I look around 15 and my friends have told me I look like June because I am half white and half hispanic. So I wanted to know if maybe you could consider me and I also just wanted you to know your book is amazing! My e-mail is bella_rosa101@yahoo.com if you want to know anymore. Thank you so much! KEEP WRITING!!!
^^^ I forgot to add I have the BIGGEST crush on Day. He's so dang cute!!!!!
Why do I feel like the only guy that read this book. Lol. It was a very good book. Once I started it I really didn't put it down. It took me two days to read it. It was that good. I've got hardcover 1st edition. I loved it so much. I can't wait to see how the movie turns out.
ohmygod, i swear this book was like the best i have read in a longgg time. it could potentially be like the next Hunger Games....this could he hugeeee....i would love to be in the movie..if there will ever be one. but thats just my wish;) i doubt it could happen...but i just think this i s a greattt book series written by a great author:) keep writing!
cant wait for the next one:)
If you need an actress to play June I found a great actress in Colorado. Her name is Hallee Lavender and she normally does stage acting with a local company called Colorado Actor' Company and Theater School. I saw her in the Wizard of Oz, and Alice in Wonderland. In the Wizard of Oz she was the scarecrow and in Alice in Wonderland she was the Queen of Hearts.
When is the movie coming out because I looked it up and it said it was coming out in 2 years
omg I want to audition sooo bad. I'm asian american and I would lovee to be in a movie. I loved your book and I'm like totally in love with day. I'm also a write, but I haven't done anything very serious yet.
I would give anything to play June in this movie, ANYTHING!!! Im canadian though, so my background doesnt match June's, would that be important? I loved Legend so much, Im so happy it gonna be a movie. Again, if your looking for someone unknown who loves Legend and can act, Im your girl!
I love your book "Legend". I could'nt stop reading. thanks for making this book, its AMAZING !!!!!!
Dear Marie Lu, hello my name is Tia I'm 11 years old. My dream is to become a famous actress. I am serious.I have a acting coach and everything. I would love to try out for Tess. I know tess has blond hair and i have brown. Does that hurt my audition? I have done nothing to serious. I've only been on 1 commercial for zui zu pets and a short film called the bathroom door. Do you really think i might have a chance of making it? Please write back.
Marie, I LOVED Legend and I am an actress who would like to be in the movie. I was wondering where I would be able to audition for a part? I haven't been in anything yet but I really would like to and I have been told I have amazing talents in acting. I even have a drama/acting teacher. Please reply.
Omg I'm so exited XD your an awesome writer and you've been a big inspiration to me and I just wanted to say thanks
Ps I'm trying to write a book but I don't no what it should be about any ideas?
If you read this ill be so happy thanks
When does the movie come out?
I'd love to audition for this movie. I talked to my agent about it but they said they couldn't find any info. on it yet. Any casting directors working on it?
:) Thanks
OMG OMG OMG!! MARIE I AM SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO(X1000000) Happy for you!! I LOVE LEGEND!! Prodigy isn't out yet in my country and the wait is KILLING ME!! I LOVE LEGEND!!!! ITS TOO FREAKIN' AWESOME I READ IT LIKE 6 OR 7 TIMES AND UNTIL NOW I AM NOT BORED!! I often annoy my friends with legend facts. they say I'm the biggest Prodigy(Legend fan) ever to exist! xDD
I can't even express how happy I am right now. I can't wait to see it! This has been my favorite series of books I've ever read! I'm so happy right now, my black ops 2 emblem is legends book cover symbol.
Hey Marie I love your books.They are my favorite! Also I love acting and I look a lot like the way you described June. If you still need her role filled I would really like to audition.
Hey, Marie...Just read Prodigy. If anybody does not want spoilers do not read ahead..........That was a good book but way to ruin my dreams of a happy ending. I was so excited the ending was looking so good then BAM Days going to die and he breaks up with June and excetera excetera. Happy for your movie deal though, if you plan on making Prodigy a movie too there will be some parts that will be hard to fit in there. Like the base scene when June has to help Day with showering cause of his leg. Love the series totally support you, and good luck. Can't wait till this comes out.
Marie! First I would like to congratulate you, although I'm a little late! Haha I am a huge fan of you and your books! I read Legend for the first time this year and I instantly became attached to it. It's really hard for me to read a book and stay interested in it, but I had no trouble with Legend. I absolutely loved it! I bought Prodigy the day it came out; I can honestly say, this series is better than Twilight, in my opinion. I was just wondering if the cast for Legend has already been determined? I have a passion for acting and I'm actually pretty good. I've been acting since I was 5, I'm now 16. Considering I'm getting older and there are more opportunities for me in the Acting Business, I have been trying so hard to get my name out there. Please reply! Much love, Ashley!
Congratulations! Am defo going to read this, but as an aspiring actor, I was also wondering if you had any idea when any casting/auditions were going to be held and how do we list for them? Many thanks, Pippa
Oh my gosh! That is the best news I've had all day! Legend was even better than the Hunger Games in my opinion, so I hope the movie will be just as good! In fact it would be so amazing to be at least an extra in the movie and say that I was apart of something so amazing! I'm a booknerd,and a movie lover. Plus acting is my only passion! Marie Lu, thank you so much for writing this amazing series. I literally could NOT put it down. You're my new favorite author, and all of my friends would say the same thing. :) I'm just sooooooooooooooooo happy for you!
Ms. Lu, I really really want to audition for June! I've loved the book "Legend" ever since I first read it, and I've been told I would be an amazing June! I've been wanting to be an actress my entire life, and I've always wanted to play the lead in a movie!!!!!! June would be a perfect debut character, and June Iparis is one of my favorite characters in any book ever!
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