Summit Entertainment has brought on Matt Reeves to direct and Jacob Estes to write This Dark Endeavor, based on the first book of a series, “This Dark Endeavor: The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein.” The novel, written by Kenneth Oppel, will be published by Simon & Schuster later this summer. Karen Rosenfelt will produce the film.
In This Dark Endeavor, Victor Frankenstein’s twin brother, Konrad, falls gravely ill, leading Victor to seek out a mysterious old alchemist to help him produce the Elixir of Life, a fabled serum that will bestow the drinker with perpetual health. Faced with the unthinkable outcome of losing his brother, and aided by his best friend Elizabeth (whose relationship with both brothers grows increasingly complicated), Victor sets out on a quest for the three ingredients needed to save Konrad’s life.
Reeves’ recent credits include Let Me In, starring Kodi Smit-McPhee, Chloë Grace Moretz and Oscar nominee Richard Jenkins, which he wrote and directed, as well as the sci-fi thriller Cloverfield.
Estes wrote and directed Mean Creek as well as The Details, starring Tobey Maguire and Elizabeth Banks which premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.
Erik Feig, Summit’s President of Production, Gillian Bohrer, Summit’s Vice President of Production, and Ashley Schlaifer, Summit’s Creative Executive, are overseeing the project for the studio.
Reeves and Estes are represented by CAA.
