Kat Coirowill direct the first two episodes ofThe Spiderwick Chroniclesfor Disney+ according toDeadline. She is also directing and executive producing six episodes of the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe seriesShe-Hulkfor the streamer.
Based on the children’s book series byTony DiTerlizziandHolly Black, Disney+ describes the show as a “modern coming-of-age story combined with fantasy adventure.” It follows the Grace Family — twin brothers Jared and Simon, their sister Mallory and mother Helen — as they move into their dilapidated ancestral home and begin to unravel a dark mystery about their great-great Uncle who once discovered the secret and foreboding faerie world existing parallel to their own.
Coiro most recently directed the romantic comedy filmMarry Me, starringJennifer LopezandOwen Wilson. She’s also directed episodes ofMozart in the Jungle,Dead to MeandShameless.
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The main series includes five books—The Field Guide(2003),The Seeing Stone(2003),Lucinda’s Secret(2003),The Ironwood Tree(2004) andThe Wrath of Mulgarath(2004). A bunch of spinoffs and companion books have also been published. A second series includesThe Nixie’s Song(2007),A Giant Problem(2008) andThe Wyrm King(2009).
A film adaptation directed byMark Waterswas released in 2008 to positive reviews. It grossed $164 million worldwide and starredFreddie Highmore,Sarah Bolger,Mary-Louise Parker,Martin Short,Nick NolteandSeth Rogen.
The last few years have been especially ripe for young-adult fare. Disney+ also recentlyannounced the central castfor another upcoming children’s book adaptation,Percy Jackson. LikeThe Spiderwick Chronicles, thePercy Jacksonbooks had also been adapted for the big screen prior to getting a streaming reboot. Netflix, meanwhile, was said to be developing series and films based on C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia books. Netflix previously rebooted A Series of Unfortunate Events for the streaming era, after its theatrical adaptation, likeThe Spiderwick Chroniclesmovie, failed to generate enough interest to justify sequels. And don’t be surprised if Warner Bros. pivots the Harry Potter series to streaming on HBO Max after the rather lackluster performance of thethird Fantastic Beasts film.
The Spiderwick Chroniclesseries will be produced by Paramount Television Studios and 20th Television.Aron Eli Coleitewill serve as showrunner for the show, and will also executive produce alongside Black, DiTerlizzi, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Jeremy Bell, D.J. Goldberg and Julie Kane-Ritsch.
