Gary Ross in Talks to Direct Disney's 'Peter and the Starcatchers' (Exclusive)

Gary Ross might be headed for Neverland.

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'Hunger Games'' Gary Ross in Talks to Direct Summit's 'Houdini' (Exclusive)

The Hunger Games director is developing as a directing vehicle Peter and the Starcatchers, Disney’s adaptation of the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. The 2004 children’s adventure novel was turned into an off-Broadway production that moved to the Main Stem this year and won five Tonys.

The Peter Pan fantasy, a prequel of sorts, follows a young Peter who befriends Molly, a shipmate he meets on the Never Land ship headed toward King Zarboff. Molly tells Peter of a mysterious trunk filled with magical starstuff that must remain out of the hands of the pirate Black Stache (who will lose his hand and become Captain Hook). Peter and Molly lead an effort to recover the trunk, which takes them on a treacherous journey.

Jesse Wigutow is writing the script.
 
The industry has been closely watching for Ross' next move since Games, which grossed $404 million domestically and $680 million worldwide. He abruptly decided to bow out of its sequel, Catching Fire, and while he has become attached to Summit’s Houdini, has not yet picked his next feature. Ross, who also directed Seabiscuit and Pleasantville, is repped by CAA and Jackoway Tyerman.

Disney had no comment.