Author James Patterson has sold the exclusive online rights for young adult franchise Maximum Ride to Collective Digital Studios.
CDS, a YouTube multichannel network formed out of Beverly Hills management company The Collective, said it has already begun talks with YouTube talent about the programming event, which comes from executive producers Gary Binkow, Patterson, Leopoldo Gout and Bill Robinson.
Maximum Ride is a nine-book fantasy series about Max, an avian-human hybrid, who escapes with other mutants from the lab where they have been raised. It has sold more than 30 million copies.
“James Patterson is not only one of the world’s most successful authors, he is also a publishing visionary, which is why we approached him about bringing Maximum Ride to life online,” said Binkow, CDS partner and chief content officer. “Max is a fierce and strong female protagonist who’s desperate to protect her flock. Bringing her to life as an original fantasy web series is something her fans have been asking for, evidenced by the hundreds of fan-made videos already online.”
Added Patterson: “Maximum Ride has a massive global fan base, and it is very exciting to think about connecting with them online. I’m confident that CDS will help introduce the book series to a completely new audience as well.”
CBS recently ordered an adaptation of Patterson’s thriller Zoo straight to series for summer 2015.
