Disney Studios and Walden Media are planning a big-screen adaptation of Katherine Paterson’s Newberry Medal-winning book "Bridge to Terabithia," says Variety.
""Bridge" tells the story of an 11-year-old boy who befriends the class outsider, a tomboy. They find a sanctuary and create the imaginary world of Terabithia, a land with giants, trolls and other magical beings.
Disney comes aboard as co-financier and U.S. distributor. Walden keeps international rights.
Walden acquired rights to the 1977 book more than three years ago and brought the project to Fox when it signed a slate deal in summer 2004. Walden approached Disney after reaching a mutual agreement with Fox that the project should not go forward there.
Disney and Walden are moving quickly on the pic, with production skedded for February in New Zealand. They are aiming for a spring 2007 release."
Of course, Disney & Walden have something else on their plate that’s rather massive: December’s release of "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe."
