I remember the BBC TV series The Tripods and how much I enjoyed the story, it was really a story of what would have happened had the War of the Worlds invaders not caught colds, or brought red creepy stuff with them. So news that the movie version was in development had me really excited, but since then there's been nothing to note.

One of my friends dropped me a note to bring to my attention this old but interesting news. So thanks to Dave over at Offwite, a site filled with his great photography.

From Variety way back in January:

Australian-born director Gregor Jordan has signed on to rewrite and direct the adaptation of John Christopher's "The Tripods Trilogy" for Walt Disney's Touchstone Pictures label...

...In the books, Tripods have conquered Earth and enslaved the human race by implanting a mind-controlling device in the heads of everyone over 15. The books tell the story of a boy and two of his friends who race to overthrow the Tripods before they must undergo the capping ritual.

What is interesting about all this is the announced director and writer, Jordan is responsible for the excellent Buffalo Soldiers which was a quite dark and funny film about life in the army without any real war. I'd recommend that film to anyone who hasn't seen it.

Yet, to think of that style of film applied to the books and the TV series which were both aimed at a younger audience, it's going to have be an interesting take on the original. Do you remember the series or have you read the book? Do you think this is an interesting turn, and does anyone know where the project is at?

You can actually read the first few pages of the script that was written prior to Jordan being taken on at The Tripods film site, although not the official one yet.