HisDarkMaterials.org

Locking down a deal that has been brewing since fall, New Line Cinema has acquired rights to develop bestselling German children's author Cornelia Funke's hotly pursued novel "Inkheart" as a potential kids fantasy franchise.

Now that "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy is complete, New Line has been casting its net for another multi-installment fantasy blockbuster. "Inkheart" joins development project "His Dark Materials," based on Philip Pullman's novels, among likely contenders.

Deal also covers the subsequent two volumes in Funke's planned trilogy and was announced by New Line production prexy Toby Emmerich, capping extended negotiations in which a number of major studios were involved.

"Inkheart" is an adventure story about a young girl whose father has the power to bring characters from books to life by reading those books aloud. When a power-hungry villain from a rare children's fable kidnaps the man, his daughter bands with a group of friends both real and imagined to set things right.

"It's the perfect segue from 'Lord of the Rings' to 'Inkheart,' " New Line exec VP Mark Ordesky told Daily Variety. "Apart from Cornelia's huge status within Europe, her international popularity is only just beginning to crest."

"Inkheart" was published in the U.S. in the fall and has spent 19 weeks on the New York Times Children's Chapter bestseller list. Second part of the trilogy, "Inkblood," recently was delivered for English translation and will be published worldwide day-and-date next year. Funke has not yet completed the final installment.

The deal marks the second film project to spring from Funke's work after magic thriller "The Thief Lord," which is being backed by Warner's international arm as a European production, with Richard Claus producing.

Ordesky and Fine Line Features senior VP of European production and acquisition Ileen Maisel will oversee production of "Inkheart" for the studio, with Funke serving as a producer. Ordesky and Maisel also are shepherding "His Dark Materials," based on a Tom Stoppard screenplay.

New Line senior exec VP of business and legal affairs Ben Zinkin negotiated the "Inkheart" acquisition with Funke's reps.

New Line also has been circling a first-look deal for film, television and stage rights to all books from Brit imprint Chicken House, which publishes Funke's novels in English-speaking territories, including the U.S., where the label goes out through Scholastic. In addition to Funke, Chicken House publisher Barry Cunningham was responsible for getting "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling into print at London house Bloomsbury.

While other companies including Miramax are involved in negotiations for the overall deal, the "Inkheart" pact could now make New Line the front runner.