BERLIN -- The Weinstein Co. has won a bidding war for U.S. rights to Mark Waters' bigscreen adaptation of Blood Sisters, the first book in Richelle Mead's bestselling Vampire Academy book series.
Insiders say the deal is valued at north of $30 million, between the acquisition fee and marketing commitment. TWC struck the pact with financiers Reliance Entertainment and IM Global, and has a rolling option on subsequent installments. At least two Hollywood studios were bidding for U.S. rights.
Blood Sisters is by far the biggest deal to emerge so far from the European Film Market in Berlin, which runs in conjunction with the Berlin International Film Festival. IM Global is repping worldwide rights to the film, and is now virutally sold out around the globe.
The move stars Zooey Deutch, Lucy Fry and Danila Kozlovsky.
The Vampire Academy book series has sold more than 8 million in copies in 35 countries. To date, there are six titles.
Blood Sisters will be produced by Don Murphy and Susan Montford (“Transformers, “Real Steel”) of Angry Films, Michael Preger and Deepak Nayar of Kintop/Reliance. IM Global CEO Stuart Ford will executive produce.
The Kintop Reliance partnership/IM Global film will go into production in early summer.