Hunger Games Director Gary Ross in Talks to Helm Disney Film Adaptation of Peter and the Starcatchers

The Hunger Games director Gary Ross is in negotiations to helm the previously announced film adaptation of the best-selling children’s novel Peter and the Starcatchers, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Published by Disney’s Hyperion in 2004, the novel, co-authored by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, is also the source for the current Broadway play Peter and the Starcatcher. The play recently earned nine Tony Award nominations and is running at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. The movie script will be written by Jesse Wigutow.



The Broadway cast of Peter and the Starcatcher features Matthew Saldivar as Black Stache, two-time Tony nominee Celia Keenan-Bolger as Molly and Adam Chanler-Berat as Boy. The show's company of 12 actors portray some 50 characters, all on a journey to answer the question: How did Peter Pan become The Boy Who Refused To Grow Up? The cast also includes Teddy Bergman, Arnie Burton, Matt D’Amico, Kevin Del Aguila, Carson Elrod, Greg Hildreth and David Rossmer. Starcatcher was adapted for the stage by Rick Elice and is co-directed by Roger Rees and Alex Timbers.

In addition to The Hunger Games, 

Ross is known for his work on Seabiscuit and Pleasantville and is currently in talks to direct Houdini, based on The Secret Life of Houdini: The Making of America's First Superhero, a biography of the magician penned by William Kalush and Larry Sloman.