Summary:
- “I Am Number Four” reboot announced with original screenwriters returning.
- Project promises a fresh take on the Lorien universe, potentially exploring untapped aspects.
- Reboot offers hope for fans disappointed by the lukewarm reception of the original film.
Fans of the science-fiction film “I Am Number Four” rejoice! The movie based on the young adult novels by Pittacus Lore is getting a reboot, and according to one of the novel’s authors, James Frey, the original screenwriters are returning to pen the script.
This exciting reboot brings back the original screenwriters, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, who recently worked on the hit Netflix series “Wednesday.” With Neal Moritz, a seasoned producer, also on board, this project promises a fresh take on the “I Am Number Four” universe. Fans can expect a deeper exploration of the characters and story, potentially delving into aspects left untouched in the original film.
This exciting news is further confirmed by author James Frey, who reveals the original screenwriters, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, are back on board to pen the script. While Frey acknowledges the project’s completion isn’t guaranteed, he expresses optimism, stating he’s working with “great people” dedicated to bringing the reboot to life:
Neal Moritz is producing a version of it that was written by the original writers, [Alfred Gough] and [Miles Millar], who just made Wednesday. So, we are in process on it and I can’t say whether it will actually ever get made or not, but I have great people I’m working with who are trying to make it happen, for sure.
I Am Number Four” follows the story of John Smith, a seemingly ordinary teenager living in Ohio. But John harbors a secret – he’s actually Number Four, an alien refugee from the planet Lorien. Lorien was invaded by a vicious alien race called the Mogadorians, forcing nine young Loric, known as the Garde, to flee to Earth with their Cêpan guardians. Each Garde possesses unique powers called Legacies, and they are sworn to protect their home planet. However, a deadly twist awaits them: the Mogadorians can only kill the Garde in numerical order. With Number Three dead, John, or Number Four, is next in line.
The 2011 film adaptation, starring Alex Pettyfer as John Smith, garnered mixed reviews. While it achieved moderate box office success, grossing $150 million worldwide against a production budget of $50 million, a sequel never materialized.
Despite the decent box office numbers, the critical reception for the film was lukewarm, with a 33% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This, coupled with DreamWorks‘ shift in focus and several underperforming projects, ultimately led to the cancellation of the planned sequel. Screenwriter Marti Noxon had previously confirmed plans for a sequel focusing on Number Six, played by Teresa Palmer, who was a highlight of the original film. However, these plans were shelved due to the overall reception of the first movie.
Whether this reboot will reach the big screen remains to be seen, but one thing’s for certain: the return of the original creative team has ignited a spark of hope for fans eager to revisit the world of Lorien and its extraordinary heroes.
