Lionsgate has found another book series to turn into a film franchise. The studio behind The Hunger Games and Divergent announced today that it has nabbed the global film rights to Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House series.
Lionsgate said that it will develop multiple live-action films based on the 54-book series, which has sold over 130 million books and has been translated into 35 languages. The films will be released under the Summit Entertainment label.
Magic Tree House centers on siblings Jack and Annie as they have adventures throughout history using a mysterious magic tree house. The book series is published by Random House Children’s Books.
The first film will be written by Will Osborne and Jenny Laird and is based on the 29th book, Christmas in Camelot. Will Osborne also worked on Magic Tree House: The Musical and a planetarium show based on the books.
“Lionsgate has an impressive reputation for working closely with content creators, respecting and protecting their vision, and making them part of the creative process,” Osborne said. “I'm thrilled to have partnered with them on bringing the Magic Tree House books to life in a series of films that kids, parents and grandparents will all get to enjoy together.”
Lionsgate had incredible success with the Hunger Games films and is still releasing films in the Divergent series. Prior to being acquired by Lionsgate, Summit released the Twilight movies.