Chris Columbus developing HOW TO LIVE SAFELY IN A SCIENCE FICTIONAL UNIVERSE movie

Science fiction fans get ready for some family friendly movie fun. THR reports that

Chris Columbus

' 1492 Pictures has bought the rights to

Charles Yu

’s debut novel,

How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe

.

The book has been a big hit since it hit shelves in September 2010. It has been named one of Time's Top 10 Fiction Books of 2010 and was listed in the New York Times' 100 Notable Books of 2010. The story centers on "a time travel machine repairman -- also named Charles Yu  -- who has spent the past 10 years traveling back and forth in time in search of his father, who has disappeared. When the fictional Yu falls into a time loop he must find a way to change the future."

The project is being produced by Columbus and 1492 principals Michael Barnathan and Mark Radcliffe. Brendan Bellomo is set to direct. Bellomo graduated from NYU film school and wrote, produced and directed a cast and crew of 200 students and professionals for the live action sci-fi short Bohemibot, which won a bronze medal in the narrative category at the 2009 Student Academy Awards.

1492’s productions have done done films like The Help, Night at the Museum, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief and the first three Harry Potter films.