Walden Media taps Ben Zazove for Rex Libris adaptation

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Last year, Walden Media – the studio behind the CHRONICLES OF NARNIA and JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH movies – purchased the screen rights to REX LIBRIS, a series of graphic novels about a committed librarian and the dangerous intergalactic forces he must defeat to recover his overdue books. The project dropped out of sight for a long while, but today brings the news that Walden has appointed screenwriter Ben Zazove to adapt the sci-fi comics for the big screen.

Zazove appears to be rather new to the game; at least, that’s what I can surmise based on the lack of IMDb page. His one known credit, if Variety has it right, is THE TOOTH FAIRY 2, starring Larry the Cable Guy. No judgments. Whatever pays the bills, right..?

The astonishing story of the incomparable Rex Libris, Head Librarian at Middleton Public Library, and his unending struggle against the forces of ignorance and darkness. With the aid of an ancient god who lives beneath the library branch, Rex travels to the farthest reaches of the galaxy in search of overdue books. He must confront incredible foes, such as powerful alien warlords who refuse to pay their late fees. Wearing his super thick bottle glasses, and armed with an arsenal of high technology weapons, he strikes fear into recalcitrant borrowers, and can take on virtually any foe from zombies to renegade public-domain literary characters with aplomb.

This is a fun concept, so hopefully it gets executed right. A lot of that will depend on the director, but first let’s see if Zazove’s draft gets the flick rolling toward an official greenlight.

From Walden Media’s JOURNEY 2, Vanessa Hudgens