Neil Gaiman is by no stretch of imagination an unknown figure in the world of literature. More popular because of his work on the famous Sandman graphic novel series, Neil Gaiman is a figure established in the movie world as well. He has been involved in script writing for a few films, such as the animated Beowulf, but most notably two of his literary works have been translated into movies in the previous decade, the first being Stardust and the other being Coraline. Gaiman fans would be glad to hear that another one of his popular book, The Graveyard Book, published in 2008 is being considered for an adaptation for the big screen. I have read The Graveyard Book and hence am excited by this news.
The Graveyard Book is about a young kid who wanders into a graveyard as a toddler after a tragedy strikes his family and is then raised by ghosts and spirits until the time comes for him to step back into society. A story not different than the famous tale of Mowgli in The Jungle Book though with a different setting. But Gaiman makes it sufficiently creepy and yet gripping with his free flowing narrative style that pushes you to keep turning the pages. Now the idea of converting the premise of this book into a movie has been toyed for quite a few years, but the exciting bit this time around is that Ron Howard is being linked to the director's seat. Ron Howard is of course the one who executed his directorial duties with aplomb in the past making the likes of A Beautiful Mind and Cinderella Man. And The Graveyard Book has got enough potential for a quality director to work with. It has a supernatural eerie feel to it right till the end, after all much of the characters are living in the graveyard. But amidst this, it has themes of compassion, revenge, gratitude and young love, while a murder/thriller background keeps the tension tight and the reader on tenterhooks. I would be thrilled if someone of Howard's stature takes up this project and showcases this fine piece of work by Neil Gaiman in the artistic manner it deserves. Hope to start hearing about casting soon...
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