The Dark Is Rising (film)
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| The Dark Is Rising | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | David Cunningham |
| Produced by | Marc E. Platt |
| Written by | John Hodge (screenplay) Susan Cooper (novel) |
| Starring | Ian McShane Alexander Ludwig Frances Conroy Christopher Eccleston Gregory Smith |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
| Release date(s) | September 28, 2007 |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
The Dark Is Rising is a 2007 film adaptation of the high fantasy five-book series The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper. The film is directed by David Cunningham and stars Ian McShane, Alexander Ludwig, Frances Conroy, Gregory Smith, and Christopher Eccleston. The Dark Is Rising is slated for a September 28, 2007 release.
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[edit] Premise
Will Stanton (Alexander Ludwig) discovers upon his eleventh birthday that he is one of the last of the Old Ones, a group dedicated to fighting the forces of evil in the world, called The Dark,[1] led by the Rider (Christopher Eccleston).[2] Merriman Lyon (Ian McShane), is an Old One who mentors Stanton to help save the world.[1] Stanton travels back and forth in time in search of clues, accompanied by his rebellious older brother (Gregory Smith).[2]
[edit] Production
In July 1997, Jim Henson Pictures optioned the rights for the film adaptation of Susan Cooper's novel The Dark Is Rising. The company attached Duncan Kenworthy as producer and Andrew Klavan as screenwriter, with the film's budget estimated to be $20 million. The rights to adapt the book had been pursued by Brian Henson, president and CEO of the company, who considered the literature a favorite of his.[3]
In May 2005, with production never becoming active under Henson Pictures, the film adaptation rights were purchased by Walden Media, who attached Marc E. Platt to produce the project.[4] The following October, Walden Media hired screenwriter John Hodge to adapt the story for the big screen.[5] In August 2006, Walden Media announced a joint venture with the studio 20th Century Fox to distribute Walden projects through Fox channels.[6] The next October, director David Cunningham was hired to helm The Dark Is Rising. Cunningham visited Romania to prepare production for an early 2007 start to target a September 28, 2007 release date.[7] In February 2007, actors Ian McShane, Alexander Ludwig, and Frances Conroy were announced to star in the film.[1] Later in the month, Gregory Smith. Christopher Eccleston, Amelia Warner, Emma Lockhart, Gary Entin, Edmund Entin, Jonathan Jackson, and John Benjamin Hickey were also announced to join the cast of The Dark Is Rising. Filming began on February 26, 2007 in Romania.[8]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Nicole Laporte. "McShane rises to 'Dark' challenge", Variety, 2007-02-12. Retrieved on February 13, 2007.
- ^ a b Borys Kit. "'Dark' falls for Smith, Eccleston", The Hollywood Reporter, 2007-02-15. Retrieved on February 15, 2007.
- ^ "Henson Pics options Cooper novel 'Dark'", Variety, 1997-07-09. Retrieved on February 13, 2007.
- ^ Dave McNary. "A walk in the 'Dark'", Variety, 2005-05-05. Retrieved on February 13, 2007.
- ^ Dave McNary. "Hodge lights up 'Dark'", Variety, 2005-10-11. Retrieved on February 13, 2007.
- ^ Gabriel Snyder, Nicole Laporte. "On Walden pond", Variety, 2006-08-08. Retrieved on February 13, 2007.
- ^ Michael Fleming. "Fox finds fantasy man", Variety, 2006-10-24. Retrieved on February 13, 2007.
- ^ Borys Kit. "'Dark' falls for Smith, Eccleston", The Hollywood Reporter, 2007-02-15. Retrieved on February 15, 2007.
