Sony, Komixx adapt young adult novels

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has agreed a multi-project deal to codevelop and coproduce young-adult novels from Wattpad with transatlantic film and TV prodco Komixx Entertainment.

Wayne Garvie

The collaboration marks SPT’s first foray into young-adult content and will cover the development of Komixx’s portfolio of IP optioned from the genre’s authors.

Projects in development include a 20×10′ TV adaptation of thriller Captured by Kelly Anne Blount, who rose to prominence via online publishing site Wattpad.

A 10×45′ show based on Robert Muchamore’s teen spy series Cherub is in the works, as is My Life With the Walter Boys (10×60′). The latter is based on the young-adult novel from Ali Novak, which has been read more than 66 million times on Wattpad.

The development of further longform content is planned to follow in the coming months, with the recent projects emerging following Komixx’s 18-month long strategy to acquire rights to novels from Wattpad.

Andrew Cole-Bulgin, Komixx group chief creative officer and head of film and TV, said: “We’re at a turning point in the development of new and thrilling content for young-adult audiences. Generation Z want to see drama that represents their point of view and comes from a place they can identify with.

“As a production company, we’ve come to understand the best places to source IP that speaks directly to them. This deal represents a big step forward for both Komixx and Sony Pictures Television in developing the most compelling young-adult IP for TV and film, and we’re very excited for the future of the partnership.”

Wayne Garvie, president of international production at SPT, added: “There is so much rich content in the marketplace written and published by adults and teens themselves.

“The number of young-adult book titles has more than doubled in the last decade and the popularity of self-publishing sites, like Wattpad, has created a surge in original young-adult content. It’s an excellent time to be adapting these characters and stories for video.”

In related news, Sony has unveiled new content for its US-based streaming service Crackle, including a second season of The Oath, executive produced by Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson and starring Ryan Kwanten.

It has also revealed a development slate of scripted original series for Crackle, including dramas Heart of Darkness, Hustle, Cry Victory and Limitless: Origins.

Comedy series Squad Goals Squad is also being developed, while an array of unscripted shorts from SPT-owned US prodco Embassy Row and exports series from producer NRG are being developed.

Crackle has also acquired programming from adventure sports brand Nitro Circus’s franchise Action Figures. Sports film Action Figures 2 will premiere in June, while TV series including Crazy Train and World’s First have also been added.