Among the numerous young adult novels in the process of getting the feature treatment is Pure, the first novel in Julianna Baggott's planned dystopian trilogy about a world divided and two characters from separate sides. Karen Rosenfelt is producing the adaptation and today comes word that Fox 2000 has tapped James Ponsoldt to direct.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, society is divided between the beautiful, healthy Pures, who live within the safety of a dome, and the Wretches, the scarred, burned, fused and otherwise disfigured people harmed by the devastation that occurred outside the dome. The story follows Pressia, a Wretch who meets Partridge, a Pure from a broken family who believes his mother might still be alive outside the dome and decides to risk his life to try to find her.
THR says James Ponsoldt has been brought on board to direct the adaptation. Ponsoldt's credits include the 2012 drama Smashed, which starred Aaron Paul and Mary Elizabeth Winstead. He also has indie film The Spectacular Now set to make its debut at Sundance on Friday. The teen-focused film stars Shailene Woodley, who's actually involved in a young adult dystopian adaptation as well, set to play the lead in Divergent. Spectacular is based on a novel by Tim Tharp, so Ponsoldt has a bit of adaptation experience under his belt going into this new project.
With the director set, we'll have to keep an ear out for casting for Pure. In the meantime, for those who want to check out the book, Amazon has it. Below is the book trailer, which gives us a general idea of the premise.
The follow-up novel Fuse is due out in February and available for preorder.
