With Warner Bros. focusing on life after Harry Potter, it may seem like it’s all about the superheroes at the moment. That’s not the case though as the studio continues to look for what will work next in the young adult novel world, a vast and heavily worked on area where there’s so much to choose from. One project that’s slowly getting off the ground is based on the The Wardstone Chronicles series of novels by British author Joseph Delaney which is having its first novel adapted into a film, one where Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore are set to star in it as the elder cast members. What the movie needs, being a young adult novel going to film, is young adults to take on the lead roles. Enter Sam Claflin and Alicia Vikander as the characters of Thomas Ward and Alice according to Moviefone.
Plot summary: When 12-year-old Thomas, seventh son of a seventh son, is apprenticed to the local Spook, whose job is to fight evil spirits and witches, he expects a life of danger. However, the boy doesn’t realize just how soon he’ll face a powerful enemy alone, as Mother Malkin escapes her confinement while the Spook is away. Thomas is forced to use his wits, and the help of his enigmatic new friend, Alice, to fight the evil witch. And defeating her is only the start of the boy’s problems. Delaney’s characters are clearly presented and have realistic depth, and Thomas’s mother and Alice stand out for their strong words and actions. The protagonist’s voice is clear, and his conflicts over his actions ring true.
