After making his debut with the acclaimed indie The Kings of Summer, Jordan Vogt-Roberts has rapidly hit the big time. He's already at work on Legendary's King Kong prequel, Skull Island, and he's attached to direct video game adaptation Metal Gear Solid. As if that slate of films wasn't ambitious enough now he may be tackling an adaptation of Alfred Bester's sci-fi novel, The Stars My Destination.
Various attempts to adapt Best's 1956 serial-turned-novel have been made over the years but none have ever made it past the scripting phase. Richard Gere had the rights at one point, and directors such as Paul W.S. Anderson (Resident Evil) and Betty Thomas (Private Parts) were interested. Paramount Pictures scooped up the rights last month and now it appears Vogt-Roberts will add it to his growing list of big studio projects. The story follows a man marooned in space after his ship is attacked and everybody with him is killed. When a passing starship ignores his rescue beacon it sets him off on a quest for vengeance.
The book has become widely praised and recognized for its use of speculative science, including the use of teleportation (referred to as "jaunting") and telepathic abilities known as psionics.
It's amazing how quickly Vogt-Roberts has risen in the ranks, and if he's the guy who can finally bring The Stars My Destination to the screen it would be a notable feather in his cap. [THR]
