Mark Waters directing first film in ‘Vampire Academy’ franchise

Twilight might be over, but vampires are going to be sticking around in cinemas for years to come. Reliance Entertainment and IM Global are hoping that Vampire Academy is the next big vampire franchise. The companies, which are co-financing the first movie in the series, have hired Mean Girls director Mark Waters to direct and have already cast several lead roles.

According to Deadline, the franchise is based on Richelle Mead’s best-selling young adult series, which currently includes six volumes. The first is titled Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters. Daniel Waters (Heathers), Mark’s brother, has written the script.

The Wrap reports that Zoey Deutch will star as Rose Hathaway and Lucy Fry will play Princess Lissa. The two are inseparable vampires who attend an academy where teachers try to help them remain humans while they grow up. The two fall in love with Dimitri, played by Danila Kozlovski. All three have to battle evil forces.

Michael Preger, Don Murphy and Susan Montford of Angry Films and Kintop Pictures’ Deepak Nayer will produce. IM Global CEO Stuart Ford will executive produce. Production could start as soon as this summer.

Waters latest film is 2011’s Mr. Popper’s Penguins with Jim Carrey. Deutch starred in Sarah Michelle Gellar's Ringer and will be seen in the upcoming Beautiful Creatures.