Ranger’s Apprentice, a popular kids book series from Australian author John Flanagan, is gearing up for a big-screen adaptation at Skydance Media.

The LA-based studio is developing a live-action film based on the medieval fantasy franchise, which has been in the market since 2004 and boasts 19 book titles. 

Published by Random House, the Ranger’s Apprentice series has sold more than five million copies in the US alone, as well as earning accolades such as the Aurealis Award for Best Children’s Novel (2004) and the Children’s Book Council of Australia Notable Book (2005).

This kidlit saga is set in the Kingdom of Araluen and centers around an orphan named Will, who joins and trains with a mysterious group of protectors known as the Rangers. 

Skydance motion pictures SVP Matt Grimm will oversee the film project, with Flanagan on board as an executive producer, and Ted Melfi (Hidden Figures) tapped to write the script and direct.

It’s worth noting that Skydance is already laying the groundwork for broader franchise plans for the Ranger’s Apprentice IP. It also optioned Flanagan’s nine-part spinoff book series The Brotherband Chronicles.

Pictured: Ranger’s Apprentice – The Ruins of Gorlan (2004)