Movie news!

[dwg.livejournal.com]

Apologies to everyone on my f-list that I spammed about this - but remember when LKH said that she was in talks about an AB:VH movie? Turns out it's really happening.

The 16-books-and-counting Blake novels by Laurell Hamilton include elements familiar to fans of True Blood (vampires are part of regular society) and Buffy the Vampire Slayer (tough young female fights supernatural forces). The project will be adapted by Glen Morgan (X-Files, Final Destination), who also serves as executive producer along with Courtney Solomon (Dungeons and Dragons).

I loved X-Files but hated D&D, so I'm of the opinion that the two producers cancel each other out.  I'll be keeping an ear to the internets for updates as they come.

Anita Blake Picture Books (WTF?)

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

I'm all for Our Laurell making all the coin she can, but I was pretty startled to see in today's Publishers Marketplace that Dial Books is launching an "Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter" picture-book series. The good news is that the illustrations will be by Caldecott honoree and Coretta Scott King medalist Jerry Pinkney (no more purple Anita! yay!); the bad news is WTF?

Barbara Marcus, strategic advisor for Penguin USA Young Readers Group, is quoted as saying "The popularity of Twilight with teen readers, and the enduring appeal of Goosebumps and other paranormal series for elementary readers, inspired our recreation of Anita Blake as a supernatural detective for our youngest readers. We see her as a combination of Dora the Explorer and Buffy the Vampire Slayer--a strong role model for girls and boys alike, and an entry point into a constantly-expanding genre."

I just--well, I have no words. Read the press release for yourself and see what you think.