“Vampire Academy” producer Michael Preger and his Preger Entertainment are giving more life to the undead, obtaining movie rights to Christopher Pike’s series “The Last Vampire.”
The series originally appeared in print in 1994 and was re-released in 2009 by Simon & Schuster and re- titled “Thirst,” debuting on the New York Times young adult bestseller’s list for 27 weeks.
The “Vampire Academy” project, based on Richelle Mead’s series of books, was launched at the Berlin market this year with The Weinstein Company taking U.S. rights. TWC plans to release the film, directed by Mark Waters and starring Zoey Deutch and Lucy Fry, in February. Preger produced with Don Murphy and Susan Montford of Angry Films and Deepak Nayar of Kintop Pictures
“The Last Vampire” chronicles the life of Sita as a character prone not only to great spiritual beliefs and human-like compassion, but also brutal acts of retribution. “She is at once captivating and beguiling, due in part to her personification as a beautiful, intelligent, innocent appearing, contemporary girl — who is in reality a 5000-year-old predator,” Preger said.
The deal was negotiated by Wayne Alexander of Alexander, Lawrence, Frumes, & Labowitz and Laurence Becsey from the Intellectual Property Group, representing Preger, and Ryan Nord of Hirsch, Wallerstein, Hayum, Matlof & Fishman representing the author.
