More fantasy films on the way

By John Freeman on July 13, 2007

Everyone seems to be chasing the next Harry Potter, and Warner Bros., who produce the box office-busting films (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix took in an estimated $44.2 million in its first full day in the US alone) are no exception. They’ve just picked up the movie rights to Septimus Heap, a popular seven-book fantasy series by author Angie Sage, from publisher HarperCollins.

Ctnopsis reports the movie adaptation of Septimus Heap: Magyk, the first book title in the series, will be produced by Karen (Devil Wears Prada) Rosenfelt with author Sage serving as executive producer.

Magyk was published in March 2005, followed by the second and third books, Septimus Heap: Flyte and Septimus Heap: Physik, which were published in March 2006 and March 2007 respectively.

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.