Melissa Rosenberg to Write and Produce ‘Earthseed’ for Paramount (Exclusive)

Melissa Rosenberg is set to write and produce an adaptation of the 1983 young-adult sci-fi novel Earthseed, written by Pamela Sargent. The project will launch the film side of Rosenberg’s new production company, Tall Girls Prods.

Paramount Film Group president Adam Goodman, who has long wanted to make a movie adaptation of the book, optioned the film rights and brought the material to Rosenberg. He will shepherd for the studio along with vp Ashley Brucks.

“Ever since I was a kid, it’s been a goal of mine to see Earthseed get to the screen in an awesome way,” said Goodman. “To have Melissa Rosenberg and her Tall Girls company writing and producing this material is truly a dream. There is no better voice for this material, in fact I just want to see the movie now!!!”

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Earthseed takes place in a future where humans launch a project called Ship to carry Earth DNA into space to find a new planet on which to settle. During its flight, a group of newly grown teenagers born without traditional parents are provided a simulated Earth environment, Hollow, to test their ability to survive. As some of the kids splinter off, tensions grow between the groups and major revelations ensue as fighting erupts.

“It really talks about the debate of nature vs. nurture, what is innately human and what can be bred in or out of someone,” says Rosenberg. “There’s a Lord of the Flies element to it. It involves a young woman who starts off as someone who is content with playing by the rules and being a “good girl,’ and then has to realize that the rules are malleable and that she has to step forward as a leader. It’s really about coming into one’s own power and embracing one’s own strength and individuality.”

Sargent, who has written nearly two dozen books, recently wrote two sequels to Earthseed: Farseed (2007) and Seed Seeker (2010). Both the studio and Rosenberg, who has long favored the extended storylines of her TV work, are looking to a potential franchise.

“What I want for Tall Girls is to be creating great, strong roles for women, but in four-quadrant, high-concept movies,” Rosenberg says. “Not movies for women in the traditional sense but more interesting, intriguing, complex roles—and kickass women, as well. That is definitely this book.”

Repped by UTA and 3 Arts Management, Rosenberg wrote the film adaptations for the entire Twilight series,  which have grossed $1.8 billion worldwide. The last two films in the series — Breaking Dawn, Parts 1 & 2 — will open in November 2011 and November 2012. She also co-wrote the script for Step Up and was a writer-producer on Dexter and The O.C.

Rosenberg is also working on the script for a reboot of Highlander for Summit Entertainment and Original Film, and she is developing AKA Jessica Jones for ABC, a series that she will executive produce through Tall Girls.