News: DreamWorks Acquires Trilogy of Novels for New Franchise

by Ken Miyamoto on November 3, 2015

DreamWorks has acquired a trilogy of novels, by author John Connolly, as a possible new franchise. The three books for middle-aged readers are The Gates, The Infernals, and The Creeps, which follow young protagonist Samuel Johnson and his loyal dog (a Dachshund) Boswell as they battle the forces of darkness starting days before Halloween as the gates of hell open at a house owned by Mrs. Abernathy. As they travel on their journey, they meet a vast array of characters, including dwarfs, police officers, demons and a man who sells ice cream — all of whom help them in their battle for good. The three books were published from 2009 to 2014.

In The Infernals, Johnson has won over the dark forces but has fallen in love with the wrong girl but can’t worry too much about that as he is hunted down by Mrs. Abernathy. With his smarts and strategy and some friends, like his demon friend Nurd, they are able to rise above the darkness once again. The Infernals was published under the title Hell’s Bells in the UK.

In The Creeps, the last of the trilogy, Johnson’s band of helpers has grown to two demons, a monster and a handful of dwarfs as he is lured into being the guest of honor at an event that is not all it seems.

Connolly is based in Dublin and is an Irish journalist who also authors children books.

The entire industry is looking for four quadrant films and franchises that appeal to the widest of audiences. Dreamworks executive Michael Wright is looking to go back to the early days of Steven Spielberg's Amblin films.

DreamWorks recently acquired Michael Crichton’s techno-thriller Micro as well as the sci-fi action comedy Alpha Squad 7 with Dwayne Johnson attached to star. They also picked up the sci-fi thriller Intelligent Life with Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World, Star Wars: Episode IX) attached to direct from a script that he and his writing partner Derek Connolly scripted. Frank Marshall is attached to produce both Micro and Intelligent Life. They are also developing the time-travel adventure film Stealing Time, with Trevorrow attached and Tim Dowling (Pixels) is scripting.