It’s one of the most popular kids book series of all time. The themes, characters, and sci-fi story seem more timely than ever. And its author, K.A. Applegate is a supportive, thoughtful, and progressive force in fiction. So, many fans have been wondering when Animorphs would finally get the big screen adaptation it deserves. Well, according to The Hollywood Reporter, it’s finally happening!
Scholastic
THR reports that the book’s publisher Scholastic will be teaming up with “Erik Feig and his Picturestart banner” to bring the story to the big screen. “The central themes of Animorphs have resonated strongly with kids for more than two decades, and the time is right for a feature film that takes this captivating sci-fi adventure to another level for audiences today,” said Scholastic’s Iole Lucchese. “Picturestart has an incredible track record of success, and Erik and his team are the perfect partners to help bring this exciting new series based on the adventure-packed books to movie screens.”
The series centers around a group of kids who gain the power to turn into any animal that they touch. Together they use these powers to protect the world from a strange group of parasitic aliens. Think Power Rangers but with a little more body horror transformation and fewer zords. There was a beloved yet critically maligned ’90s kids show based on the books but the effects were very much of the time and the serialized nature mean the episodes didn’t always feel complete.
Scholastic
Many pointed to K.A. Applegate as a better role model for young readers than some of her contemporaries, notably J.K. Rowling, in light of the latter’s most recent transphobic remarks. So now everyone can stop talking about the boy who lived and instead think on which of the 54 Animorphs books they want to see adapted. Let’s be real—whatever happens, these terrifying covers will live forever in wonderful infamy!
Featured Image: Scholastic