Scholastic Entertainment, the media division of Scholastic, is partnering with producer Josephson Entertainment and ‘Twas Entertainment to co-develop and co-produce a new live-action hybrid feature film based on the upcoming Scholastic novel by Claribel Ortega, “Ghost Squad.”
Academy Award-winning director Brenda Chapman (Brave, Prince of Egypt, The Lion King) is set to write and direct. ‘Twas Entertainment will also produce, with Kevin Lima and Vice President Josie Rosen overseeing the project for the banner.
Josephson Entertainment’s principal, Barry Josephson (Enchanted, Men in Black, Bones), and the company’s EVP & Head of Features, D. Matt Geller (Remember), will produce the adaptation. Scholastic Entertainment President Iole Lucchese (Clifford the Big Red Dog feature, The Magic School Bus feature) and SVP & General Manager Caitlin Friedman (Clifford the Big Red Dog TV Series, The Magic School Bus feature), will also serve as producers.
“We are so excited about bringing Ghost Squad to the big screen,” said Lucchese. “This standout book will be a huge hit with readers everywhere. We are delighted to be working with such high-caliber talent, including Brenda and Barry, to make this story come to life for kids and families everywhere.”
“I am thrilled to work with Scholastic, Josephson Entertainment, and ’Twas Entertainment to bring to life the fantastical world created by Claribel Ortega,” said Chapman. “Her dynamic characters and the setting of St. Augustine make adapting ‘Ghost Squad’ a unique and wonderful opportunity.”
“I’ve wanted to work with Brenda Chapman ever since our daughter Shira declared Brave’s ‘Merida’ her favorite kick-ass female character ever!” said Josephson. “We’re very fortunate that Scholastic has invited us to produce ‘Ghost Squad’ along side them. We cannot wait to launch this completely original franchise.”
“Ghost Squad,” by Claribel A. Ortega, follows Lucely Luna and her best friend, Syd, two outcast kids living in St. Augustine, Florida. In efforts to right a past wrong-doing, the pair casts a spell that accidentally awakens malicious spirits right before Halloween. Together, they must join forces with Syd’s grandmother, Babette, and her cat, Chunk, to fight the haunting and reverse the curse to save the town. Ortega’s debut will hit the shelves in April 2020.