Zemeckis brings Irish book to big screen
Gil Kenan and Robert Zemeckis are partnering again for a big-screen version of ‘Airman,’ a children’s adventure book by Irish author Eoin Colfer.
Kenan will direct the adaptation, which will be done using performance-capture technology. Zemeckis will produce with his partners Jack Rapke and Steve Starkey.
The swashbuckling scientific story centres on Conor Broekhart, a young man born in a hot air balloon to a family close to the king who has a penchant for looking to the skies for inspiration. After his tutor and king are murdered, Broekhart spends two years in prison, escapes and must decide whether to should turn his back on those who abandoned him or fight those who plot to overthrow the government.
Kenan and Zemeckis previously teamed on the Oscar winning animation ‘Monster House’. Zemeckis’ next film is the upcoming ‘City of Ember’, starring Bill Murray and Oscar nominated Irish actress Saoirse Ronan.