CBS Films hires writers to adapt Marie Lu's LEGEND

Last year we reported that CBS Films had purchased the rights to Marie Lu's young adult novel, Legend. The studio is making progress, today they hired Andrew Barrer and Gabe Ferrari to adapt the franchise. We recently reported that Jonathan Levine had been cast to helm the project, which is being produced by Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey (The Twilight Saga).

The novel which is part of a planned triolgy wont be the released until November, but the story takes place in a North America that is split into two warring nations. It follows a teen prodigy hired to hunt him down a young Robin Hood in the process they uncover an impossible truth about their totalitarian leaders.

Here's a detailed description of the first novel:

The United States is gone, along with its flooded coasts. North America's two warring nations, the western Republic and the eastern Colonies, have reached a breaking point. In the midst of this broken continent and dark new world are two teenagers who will go down in history ....

Born into the slums of the Republic's Lake sector, fifteen-year old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. A mysterious boy with no recorded image or fingerprints. A boy who should no longer exist. A boy who watches over his family until one evening, when the plague patrols mark his family's door with an X--the sign of plague infection. A death sentence for any family too poor to afford the antidote. Desperate, Day has no choice; he must steal it.

Born to an elite family in the wealthy Ruby sector, fifteen-year old June is the Republic's most promising prodigy. A superintelligent girl destined for great things in the country's highest military circles. Obedient, passionate, and committed to her country--until the day her brother Metias is murdered while on patrol during a break-in at the plague hospital.

Only one person could be responsible.

Day.

And now it's June's mission to hunt him down.

The truth they'll uncover will become legend.

Barrer and Ferrari are up-and-coming writers, who penned Die in a Gunfight, The project is described as "a Romeo and Juliet-like action project" with Zac Efron attached to star and Anthony Mandler attached to direct.

What are your thougts on this news? Are you excited about this project?