MGM options young adult sci-fi thriller ‘Aurora Rising’

MGM Television has optioned young adult sci-fi thriller Aurora Rising, written by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff.

The novel, published on May 7, is from Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books.

Bill Todman, Jr. and Edward Milstein (Married To The Mob, Grandma’s Boy, Wild Wild West, Ace Ventura) will executive produce with Limor Hakim co-producing for Level 1 Entertainment. Kaufman and Kristoff are consulting producers.

Set in the year 2380, Aurora Rising follows Ty Jones, the top cadet of the Aurora Academy, and his squad of misfits and losers as they slowly realize that the girl they rescued from hundreds of years of cryo-sleep may be the catalyst for a war millions of years in the making.

The book, the first in a series, is set for publication in ten foreign territories.

“Amie and Jay have created something really special with Aurora Rising. Their novel blends comedy, action and heart seamlessly in such a wonderful way,” said Steve Stark, MGM president, television production and development.

MGM Television is also developing Kaufman’s Starbound Trilogy, co-written by Meagan Spooner. Eric Balfour, Stephanie Varella, Martin Berneman and Warren Littlefield are executive producing.