David Hayter to Adapt THE DRAGONRIDERS OF PERN

David Hayter, the screenwriter of films such as Watchmen and X-Men has been hired to adapt Anne McCaffrey's classic sci-fi and fantasy book series The Dragonriders of Pern for the big screen.

Dragonflight is the first book in the series, and it will be the first film to get the big screen treatment. The story follows an elite group of warriors take to the skies on the backs of giant, fire-breathing, telepathic dragons to save the wondrously exotic planet of Pern from a terrifying airborne menace. 

The film is being produced by Benedict Carver’s Dark Hero Studios, Don Murphy and Susan Montford’s Angry Films and Entertainment One. I'm sure they hope that his new series really takes off and becomes a successful franchise. Hayter had this to say in a statement,

The world of Pern is a unique and highly cinematic combination of science fiction and fantasy. This property has an incredible literary heritage and a rabid fan base. I’m really looking forward to delving into the majestic world that Anne has created and transporting it to the screen.

Here is what the author of the book had to say about the film adaptation,

The fans and I have been waiting, not so patiently, for a long time to see Pern and her characters on the big screen. I couldn’t be more thrilled that a writer with David’s tremendous creativity and track record of translating beloved source material into fantastic movies has decided to make this his next epic adventure.

It's good to see there's a lot of excitement for this film, which has got a solidly talented screenwriter attached to it. I can't wait to see who the producers bring on to direct it. This sounds like it could be a pretty awesome film, here the description of the first book,

HOW CAN ONE GIRL SAVE AN ENTIRE WORLD?

To the nobles who live in Benden Weyr, Lessa is nothing but a ragged kitchen girl. For most of her life she has survived by serving those who betrayed her father and took over his lands. Now the time has come for Lessa to shed her disguise—and take back her stolen birthright. 

But everything changes when she meets a queen dragon. The bond they share will be deep and last forever. It will protect them when, for the first time in centuries, Lessa’s world is threatened by Thread, an evil substance that falls like rain and destroys everything it touches. Dragons and their Riders once protected the planet from Thread, but there are very few of them left these days. Now brave Lessa must risk her life, and the life of her beloved dragon, to save her beautiful world. . . .

What do you think about this series being adapted for the big screen? Is this something you've been wanting to see brought to life?