The Rook is coming to screen. Stephenie Meyer, the inventor of sparkly vampires who love cool music and try not to cross boundaries has a new gig.
She is joining the Starz pantheon to executive produce a new supernatural spy series The Rook. The concept is based on the novel by Daniel O’Malley.
According to the official synopsis:
“The Rook tells the story of a young woman who wakes up in a London park suffering total amnesia – surrounded by dead bodies, all wearing latex gloves. Pursued by shadowy paranormal adversaries, grappling with peculiar ‘abilities’ of her own, she must fight to uncover her past, and resume her position at the head of Britain’s most secret (supernatural) service… before the traitors who stole her memory can finish what they started.”
If the grammar and writing style of the synopsis is any guide, Meyer is obviously the right person for the job.
Perhaps predictably, wikipedia's description is more succinct:
“The book follows a young woman in her thirties who wakes up in a park surrounded by bodies wearing latex gloves. She's unable to remember anything about herself or how she or the bodies got there, and her only clue is a letter in her coat pocket that says, "To You". Inside is a letter that tells her the body previously belonged to Myfanwy Thomas, who worked in a secret government organization and was targeted by an unknown assassin. The letter offers the young woman (who is thereafter identified in the book as Myfanwy, although she sees herself as a separate person, considering her 'original' self as Thomas) a choice of taking up the life of the woman before her and discovering the identity of the would-be killer, or setting out with a new identity.”
Myfanwy, we are informed, is pronounced like 'Tiffany', except with an 'm'.
The series will air on the STARZ platform in the U.S. beginning next year. Liberty Global will feature the series exclusively on demand in Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. Lionsgate will distribute the series worldwide.
Meyer was the best-selling author of 2008 and 2009 in the U.S., selling over 45 million copies before the end of 2009. She went on to co-produce The Host, based on her #1 New York Times best-seller.
Considering the complete collapse and crash of the economy during those years, can it be any wonder so many people needed a complete break from reality? This writer must admit guiltily that he read every single word of Meyer's saga during the same period. He did this under the full spotlight of ridicule from his friends and associates.
Starz apparently never had any such friends. Or rather they had the kind who actually like profitable stories.
Those friends must have helped write the advance statements.
Starz President and Chief Executive Officer Chris Albrecht.
“We are thrilled to add the talents of Stephen Garrett and Stephenie Meyer to our creative family and forge our partnership with the Lionsgate Television Group and Liberty Global. The Rook is instantly addictive from the very first scene and introduces what we believe will be one of the most fascinating and thrilling female protagonists on television.”
“Stephenie is one of the world’s great creative talents, and Stephen has an incredible track record in bringing remarkable stories to the screen,” said Lionsgate Television Group Chairman Kevin Beggs.
“Everything starts with great writing,” said Character 7’s Executive Chairman Stephen Garrett. Without a trace of irony.
“To be conspiring on The Rook in partnership with Stephenie based on a book that is as dazzling as it is surprising and working with the talented team of Sam and Al, is the perfect springboard for thrilling television.”
Meyer will also produce an adaptation of Lois Duncan’s teen classic Down A Dark Hall, starring Uma Thurman for Lionsgate.