I've had quite a few inquires into what is going on with the Ryann Watters book series and the film project, so I thought I clear it up on my blog and post an update to my website as well. If you didn't know already, the movie first effort with "Ryann Watters and the King's Sword" began on-site in Mt Dora, two summers ago and was about 70% into initial filming when things went south. It was fun to watch the shooting, on location, and see scenes I had only previously dreamed about being on film. I learned a great deal about the movie industry, from cameras to budgets, to the actors involved and the film crew positions. I'll spare you the details of what went wrong, but it was demoralizing personally, because I like to make people happy and I knew the results were going to disappoint readers, those involved with the film, and investors.
Through the process I have come to terms with the fact that God's timing is not Eric's timing. If things occured on my time table, book 3 would be in stores and you would be going to the theatre to see the movie. So, where are we now?
There is still a core group that is making headway towards a film. Gold Pictures revised the script for "King's Sword," and wrote a script for "Ryann Watters and the Shield of Faith." They have put together a great proposal for filming both movies simultaneously and there are even some actors that are committed to being a part if/when the time comes (see http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1858527/).
Taylor Boswell, who is slated to play Liddy, is the only actor from the first efforts who is still part of the new director's plans. Taylor is currently on the set of "Summer Snow," filming in Kentucky. It is a faith-based film that comes from the same people involved in "October Baby." http://www.kentucky.com/2012/05/18/2192653/faith-based-movies-being-filmed.html
The studio continues to seek financing for the approximate $6 million budget for both films. Continue to keep that in your prayers. I am specifically praying that God will provide a "yes" answer this summer!
In regards to "Ryann Watters and the Belt of Truth," I have written five chapters and outlined the rest of the novel. The original studio bought back the rights to the first, two books, in my series from Creation House, so I am an author without a publisher as it stands right now. My agent wants to wait until funding for the movie comes in and the studio makes a major announcement, so that he can use that news to secure a new, and larger, publisher. He goal would be to have books one and two, re-released in paperback, with some rewrites based upon the movie (which I would enjoy doing) and then secure a contract for books three and four in the series.
Right now, my plans are to see if funding for the movies pans out over the summer. If it does then I believe the plan of action by my agent (above) makes sense and would hopefully play out. If the funding does not come about then I may seek to follow the route of some of my fellow, friend, authors, Christopher Hopper and Wayne Thomas Batson, and self-publish an on-line and on-demand version for book three. I can tell you that "Belt of Truth" has an awesomely, exciting, plot. Ryann, Terell and Liddy are gifted with some amazing powers (which they can use in Mount Dora) and Drake Dunfellow returns, in a BIG way.
Thanks for your prayer and patience. I hope to have more updates over the summer!
Eric
