Gary Ross has chosen his next directing gig after the success of Hunger Games with Disney's adaptation of Peter and the Starcatchers. Deadline reports that Ross is focused on the adaptation of the novel written by Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry, with a new draft of the script coming via Jesse Wigutow coming in October. Peter and the Starcatchers was illustrated by artist Greg Call and is a prequel to J.M. Barrie's novel Peter and Wendy.
The adventurous story takes place on the high seas, as well as the faraway Mollusk Island. Here, orphan Peter and his pretty friend Molly fend off pirates and thieves to keep a magical secret safe, and defend their world from evil. Characters included Black "Stache" Moustache and Mister Grin, a ferocious crocodile, among others. Peter and Molly then journey with Alf, Prentiss, Slank, James, Little Richard and Thomas from Old England across the sea on the Never Land. Aboard the ship is a trunk which holds the "greatest treasure on earth." (Read more at Wikipedia).
Pic may start production next year.
Ross who passed on The Hunger Games sequel Catching Fire, could have made Summit Entertainment's The Secret Life of Houdini, but no deal was made on that project.
Whether or not any potential work will follow on the three sequel books which follow Peter and the Starcatchers (Peter and the Shadow Thieves, Peter and the Secret of Rundoon, Peter and the Sword of Mercy), remains to be seen.