The production company behind hits
Shoot 'Em Up and
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen has optioned the rights to
Cycler, Lauren McLaughlin's young-adult book series, according to
The Hollywood Reporter. Cycler, which tells the story of Jill, a 17-year-old suburban girl whose motto, "I am all girl," is turned on its head when for four days every month turns into Jack, a teen with male anatomy and typical fantasies of girls. Jill develops a Plan B comprised of visualization techniques and chanting after research and hospital visits fail to explain her mysterious transformation.
Random House for Young Readers first published Cycler in August 2008; themes of bisexuality, porn addiction and gender identity are just part of the story line when Jack rebels against Jill's quiet homebody lifestyle.
Edge magazine had nothing but praise for the novel in its September 2008 review: "Cycler finds a fantastical angle to approach the subject of gender identity disorder with a character whose confusion, even given her unlikely story, is always relatable. ... With these two engaging personalities on the opposite sides of their struggle, teens who are questioning their own identity may find themselves, as we do, listening to both sides."
The sequel, Recycler, was published in August and follows Jill's life after graduating from high school and subsequent move to New York. More books in the series are planned.
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McLaughlin has ties to the film industry, having worked as an executive at Lionsgate (distributor of movies like the Saw franchise) before heading to New York to write. The author has already adapted Cycler into a screenplay.
Angryfilms, the production company run by Don Murphy (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen) and Susan Montford (While She Was Out), is shopping the project to directors and financers and will produce Cycler.
Who would you like to see play Jill/Jack? McLaughlin is accepting your suggestions on her Web site.
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