Big Screen Writer for Dragonriders of Pern, Paramount Nabs Bradbury’s Martian Chronicles

We have some great news for fans of fantasy and science fiction because two of the most well-known books in each genre are making the journey to the big screen.

According to Collider, screenwriter David Hayter (X2, Watchmen) will be writing the movie adaptation of Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series, beginning with the first title, Dragonflight, which revolves around “an elite group of warriors who take to the skies on the backs of giant, fire-breathing, telepathic dragons to save the wondrously exotic planet of Pern from a terrifying airborne menace.”

McCaffrey, who saw the first book in the series land on bookstore shelves back in 1968, says,

“The fans and I have been waiting, not so patiently, for a long time to see Pern and her characters on the big screen. I couldn’t be more thrilled that a writer with David’s tremendous creativity and track record of translating beloved source material into fantastic movies has decided to make this his next epic adventure.”

Dragonflight doesn’t have a director yet, but production is scheduled to begin in 2012.

Not wanting to be left behind when it comes to turning classic hits into possible box office giants, Paramount has picked up the movie rights for Ray Bradbury’s Martian Chronicles collection, according to the latest from THR.

Universal had acquired the rights in 1997 but never managed to get the project completely off the ground, despite having names like Steven Spielberg attached to it. The rights reverted back earlier this year and Paramount grabbed them up.

John Davis will produce the sci-fi adventure about humans trying to colonize Mars, but a writer hasn’t been chosen yet.