'Harry Potter' fanfic gets movie deal
Alchemised, a dark fantasy novel that was originally a Harry Potter fanfiction, has now been bought by Legendary in a seven-figure deal for a movie adaptation.
In a report by The Hollywood Reporter, author SenLinYu struck a deal with the film studio behind hit movies such as Godzilla, Interstellar, Jurassic World, and more to have their work adapted for the big screen.
The purchase reportedly exceeded $3 million (P171 million), which is said to be one of the highest sums for a book’s movie rights.
Alchemised, published under Penguin Random House division Del Rey, tells the story of a woman named Helena Marino as she fights to survive a war-torn world of necromancy and alchemy while suffering from missing memories.
To uncover the memories buried deep within her mind, Helena is sent to the High Reeve, one of the most powerful and ruthless necromancers in this new world.
Sources told the news outlet that the book actually began as a Harry Potter fanfic, specifically a forbidden love between characters Hermione Granger and Draco Malfoy called "Dramione."
Hermione is one of the main companions of Harry in the books, along with Ron Weasley. Draco, on the other hand, served as a major antagonist in the series and is characterized as a bully who tricks and hurts people to get what he wants.
The characters were played by Emma Watson and Tom Felton in the original movies, respectively.
Hermione and Draco did not end up together in the original books' ending and formed romances with other characters.
The movie deal comes even before Alchemised hits the shelves on Sept. 23 with a first printing of 750,000 copies.
Harry Potter is a series of seven fantasy novels written by British author J. K. Rowling. It chronicles the life and adventures of its titular character as he attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and battles the dark wizard Lord Voldemort.
The books were all adapted by Warner Bros. Pictures, beginning with Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in 2001 and culminating with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 in 2011.
