Fans ofPhillip Reeve’sMortal Engines novelswere quite thrilled back in October, when it was revealed that Universal Pictures and Media Rights Capital are teaming up withPeter Jacksonto bring this adaptation to the big screen. Today we have word that the first cast members have come aboard, withRobbie SheehanandRonan Rafterysigning on. No details about which characters they’re playing have been revealed, butRobbie Sheehanis playing a lead character, whileRonan Rafteryis playing a supporting role.
Varietybroke the news on this casting, while also revealing that Universal and MRC are hoping to start production this spring, inPeter Jackson’s home country of New Zealand, and that a December 14, 2018release datehas been set. As of now, no other movies are slated for release on that date, but Sony has set up their untitledSpider-Mananimated film one week later on June 19, 2025. 20th Century Fox has also set a Christmas 2018 date forAvatar 2, but there have been rumors it may be delayed once again.
Peter JacksonandFrank Walshhave been involved with this project from the beginning, optioning the rights toPhillip Reeve’s novel series from Scholastic way back in 2001. A report surfaced in 2009 that he was “secretly” developing an adaptation of the novels, but we didn’t hear anything further about this project until last year, when Universal and MRC came aboard to produce and finance the film, which Universal will distribute globally.Peter Jacksonwill not be taking the helm, though, withChristian Rivers, who has worked as a visual effects supervisor forPeter Jackson’s Weta Digital, set to make his feature directorial debut.
First published in 2001 by Scholastic,Phillip Reeve’sMortal Enginesbooks have won several prestigious awards including the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize, the Los Angeles Times Book Award, the Smarties Gold Award and Blue Peter Book of the Year.Mortal Enginesis set in a world many thousands of years in the future. Earth’s cities now roam the globe on huge wheels, devouring each other in a struggle for ever diminishing resources. On one of these massive Traction Cities, Tom Natsworthy has an unexpected encounter with amysterious young womanfrom the Outlands who will change the course of his life forever.
Peter Jackson,Fran WalshandPhilippa Boyens, who co-wrote bothThe Lord of the RingsandHobbittrilogies, are all writing the screenplay adaptation forMortal Engines.Peter JacksonandFran Walshwill produce alongsideZane Weiner,Amanda WalkerandDeborah Forte, withKen Kamins, the longtime manager for the writing trio, executive producing, andPhilippa Boyensserving as co-producer.Robbie Sheehancurrently stars in the UK TV seriesFortitude, and he is no stranger to fantasy adaptation, portraying Simon in the 2013 fantasy adaptationThe Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.Ronan Rafterymost recently played Langdon Shaw in theHarry Potterspin-offFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
