Source:Variety

June 26, 2009

Variety reports that DreamWorks Pictures is close to a deal to acquire screen rights to "I Am Number Four," the first of a six-book science fiction deal that has Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen director Michael Bay aboard to produce and possibly direct.

The trade says that one of the writers is James Frey, best known for writing "A Million Little Pieces." Neither the agency nor the studio would confirm.

It is expected that Steven Spielberg will be active in a behind-the-scenes capacity, similar to the role he has played in the "Transformers" franchise.

The franchise is about a group of nine earthbound alien teens who escaped their planet just before it was destroyed by a hostile species. While the high school-aged kids assimilate, the title character discovers that he is being hunted by the enemy that blew up his planet.