I'm biased, of course, but I think Secret of the Dragon's Eye would make a fantastic movie. It has all the right elements. There's a dragon, of course, but Thaddeus Osbert is different, because he's grumpy and loveable. The North Cornwall location would provide great opportunities for spectacular cinematography. There are the three soon-to-be teenagers, nasty Nazis, rationing, and all sorts of historical drama to set the stage for this adventure.
Now Hollywood has always had a thing for dragons, from Disney's Pete's Dragon to Reign of Fire. There's Eragon and Dragonheart, and a dragon plays a critical role in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Dungeons and Dragons, the incredibly popular role-playing game, has been brought to the silver screen in both live-action and animated versions What about Dragonslayer and Dragon Wars? So there have been plenty of examples.
Still, it isn't modesty that leads me to say that Secret of the Dragon's Eye and the other 5 books in the series, would make great movies. With the right actors and director, combined with the quality special effects from a movie like Transformers, it would look and sound great. Then it all comes down to the story, which would adapt itself well to 2 hours of cinema entertainment. As with my other novels, I wrote a screenplay as well. I do struggle with what to cut, but 1 page of screenplay equals 1 minute of movie, so you have to get a big pair of storyline scissors and slice away.
Gavin's journey from sheltered young lad living on the Cornish coast, to realizing dragons are real and the Nazi threat to England wasn't just bombers overhead, is worth telling. Gavin's best friend Emily and new chum Bunty have experiences of their own that not only teach about the hardships of the time, but the victories as well. While the dragon is a fantasy element that pulls it all together, life in WWII England was filled with daily peril, strict rationing, and fear of invasion. With school constantly interrupted by air-raid sirens, it was almost impossible to deliver any kind of education and most children learned more about how to help the mums stretch a meal, than anything taught in books.
To a certain degree, the movie screen can help tell a different level of story from a book, by using sight and sound. I would love to be involved in the production, but I know most stuudios and directors can't stand having the author hanging about, mucking up the works. However, if done even remotely right, Secret of the Dragon's Eye could be captivating entertainment. I have often visualize how it might look to see Thaddeus, with Gavin on his shoulders, flying into the heart of London during the Blitz. With German bombers buzzing overhead and incindiaries cascading down igniting fires everywhere, searchlights crisscrossing the night sky, antiaircraft batteries banging away at unseen targets - it captures the imagination.
So, if you know any Hollywood producer, director, or star who is looking for a great project to undertake, send them my way. I'd be happy to negotiate a deal, because I believe Gavin and Bunty and Emily, along with Thaddeus Osbert, have just as important a message to share as many other motion picture characters.
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Hollywood, dragons, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Reign of Fire, Eragon, Transformers, WWII England, German Blitz, German bombers, searchlights, North Cornwall,
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