EXCLUSIVE: Ben Affleck continues to build his future dance card and seems to have found another possible directional job to add to his list. Sources tell Deadline that Disney is developing an action movie based on the best-selling book series Guardian of the Lost Cities in Shannon Messenger, with Affleck attached to drive. He will also produce through his Pearl Street banner and adapt the script with Kate Gritmon. Madison Ainley will embark as an executive producer.
In the bestselling novel, a telepathic girl must find out why she is the key to her new world before the wrong person finds the answer first. When Sophie, 12, finally finds out where her secret telepathic ability comes from, she discovers that she is not actually human, but is from another world that exists side by side with ours.
There are more than 2.5 million books in print and counting in the series, with Book 8.5 Unlocked (released in November) recently named the Best Book for Young Readers of 2020 by Barnes & Noble. He is also a Goodreads Choice 2020 semifinalist and California Gold Medal Winner.
Affleck’s recent sports drama The way back earned him some of the best reviews of his acting career. Warner Bros is so impressed that the studio plans to run an award campaign for its acclaimed performance this Oscar season.
He is represented by the WME. Gritmon is represented by Kaplan Perrone, Paradigm and HWHM + F.