Michael Reisman's first as yet unpublished novel Simon Bloom, the Gravity Keeper has been bought by Universal and is possibly to be directed by Gary Ross.

The book follows an eleven year old boy and his two friends who come into possession of a book that allows them to alter the laws of physics - "Ye cannae change the laws of physics Captain!". It's really another book that provides something for both adults and children and is set to become a series of novels and therefore most likely a film franchise.

Reismen previously read scripts and books for Nickelodeon, and in doing so he was inspired. From The Hollywood Reporter:

He became inspired to write his own book when he read the first two Lemony Snicket books. "They were very smart and very witty, and I as an adult responded to them," Reisman said. "I saw how these books could be for adults as well as children."

Alison Thomas, Ross' production partner, said what attracted them to the tale:

"We really like that it's about a magical world that doesn't involve wizards or things like that. Science is the magic of the story. The kids are learning the laws of physics so they can break them. It's like a new kind of superhero movie."

I like the idea that it's based around real things and that it might be able to provide some education at the same time.