While the film versions of Philip Pullman‘s HIS DARK MATERIALS trilogy is set to make a big Hollywood splash, the Guardian reports the author has awarded the film rights to an earlier novel, 1992’s THE BUTTERFLY TATTOO, free of charge to a small independent Dutch company that promotes educational projects for young people. Dynamic Entertainment now has the option to adapt the book, in exchange for 10% of any eventual revenues. Filming is expected to begin in August.
Dynamic Entertainment is pledging to involve young people and to give film “amateurs” an integral role in the film’s production, from helping to set up lighting rigs and shooting stills to processing daily budgets. In addition, crew members will write, record or film daily blogs detailing the progress of the production and the challenges involved.
With a budget of just 200,000 euros, THE BUTTERFLY TATTOO will be in a different league to New Line’s adaptation of Pullman’s bestselling and award-winning trilogy. The first of the Hollywood films, THE GOLDEN COMPASS, has a budget of 83m pounds and a cast list featuring bankable names including Nicole Kidman and Bond stars Daniel Craig and Eva Green. It will be released at the end of the year.