According to a report by Deadline, Sophia Lillis, who starred as young Beverly Marsh in Andy Muschietti's box office-smash IT, is preparing to star in Warner Bros. adaptation of NANCY DREW AND THE HIDDEN STAIRCASE. The film, which is being viewed by the WB as a potential franchise starter, will star Lillis as the whip-smart sleuth, who in the past has been featured in a total of 175 novels since 1930. When the film arrives, it will focus on the second book in the series, and tell the tale of when Nancy investigates a haunted house and a missing landowner. Ellen DeGeneres, Jeff Kleeman, and Chip Diggins are in-line to produce, with Wendy Williams executive producing. For the moment, no director or screenwriter has been assigned to the project.
Created by publisher Edward Stratemeyer, Nancy Drew was introduced to readers as a counter-balance to the author's Hardy Boys book series. Interestingly enough, the Nancy Drew series was penned by a host of ghostwriters who presented their individual stories under the pen name Carolyn Keene. Typically written as a 16-18-year-old woman, Nancy spends her days solving crimes as a formidable detective. Because no great detective ever works alone, Nancy's cousins and best friends, Bess Mervin and George Fayne, are often along for the ride. Together, the three women investigate capers, lay old rumors to rest, and even uncover a dead body or two along their journey.
For those of you who've done your research, yes, Warner Bros. did create an adaptation of NANCY DREW AND THE HIDDEN STAIRCASE, back in 1939. The film starred Bonita Granville as Nancy Drew, as part of a four-film series. The studio tried relaunching the character yet again in 2007 with AQUAMARINE star Emma Roberts in the lead. Unfortunately, the film was quickly labeled as a flop, on account of it being unable to draw decent numbers at the box office.
Do you think this latest revival will be Nancy's time to shine? Do you think Lillis has the star power to lead this venture into a franchise situation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.