Relativity Media reports that Vincenzo Natali, director of the Toronto-lensed "Splice" will next direct the feature film "Tunnels", an adaptation of the first installment of the New York Times best-selling children's series by authors Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams.The project is being produced by Ryan Kavanaugh, Mark Canton, Danny Davids and Neil Canton. Simon Sandquist and Joel Bergvall wrote the screenplay.
"Tunnels" was published by Barry Cunningham of Chicken House/Scholastic Inc. Achieving sales of more than a million copies and published in more than forty countries worldwide, the authors have already completed two sequels to the series "Deeper", published in 2008 and the third installment, "Freefall" to be published spring 2010.
"Tunnels" follows a boy driven by a fascination of the past, drawn into a subterranean world after his archaeologist father goes missing. A hidden civilization, 'beautiful and unforgiving', is dominated by a sinister, vicious race called the 'Styx', who have presided over generations of enslaved colonists.
"This first installment of the 'Tunnels' franchise will open up a whole new universe of excitement and adventure to audiences throughout the world," said Mark Canton.
"It represents the next level in family entertainment, combining a science-based reality reminiscent of the classic fiction of Verne and Wells, but in a completely contemporary setting, with today's immersive cinematic technology to create a believable, yet unforgettable movie-going experience...
