GP Taylor’s “Mariah Mundi and the Midas Box” to be Made into a Film
NY Times best-selling author, GP Taylor
With the Harry Potter series concluded, movie audiences might find their next craze in Mariah Mundi and the Midas Box. GP Taylor – a NY Times best-selling author and former vicar of the Church of England – announced that his book is being made into a multi-million-dollar Hollywood film.
Taylor declares that he is, “still numb,” over the news. “I am absolutely over the moon.” He explained that Mariah Mundi was sold to the producers in 2008. “They had initially wanted to buy “Shadowmancer,” but I had shelved that project at the time. I had a long talk with them about Mariah Mundi and the Midas Box and what they would do and I really liked it. The producers are young and very talented and have managed to bring together a really exciting project. They had the script done by some of Hollywood’s finest writers and I am really pleased with the results.”
Taylor stated that the film’s budget is around $25 million now, but could likely be considerably more. Filming is scheduled to begin in the UK in April. Casting for the film is underway, with negotiations with actors Same Neill (“Jurassic Park,” “Hunt for Red October”), Michael Sheen (“The Queen,” “Frost Nixon”), Lena Headey (“300,” “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) and Ioan Gruffud (“Amazing Grace,” “Fantastic Four”) to star in this teen fantasy thriller.
“If I could have a wish list then this is it,” Taylor says of the casting choices. “This is a coming together of some of the finest acting talent in the world. Sam Niall is a great favourite of mine. Michael Sheen is one of the most versatile actors I know and I am looking forward to him in an Indiana Jones type role. Lena Heady is amazing and brings a huge audience with her from Game of Thrones. I first saw her in a British film called “The Probation Officer.” She was amazing in that. I am a big fan of Ioan Gruffud having watched the “Fantastic Four” movies many times. So all in all, what more could I ask for?”
The film is based on the first book of a trilogy by the Scarborough-based author. A description of Mariah Mundi and the Midas Box from Taylor’s website: “Fresh out of school, young Mariah faces a new chapter of his life living in the Prince Regent hotel, built into the rock face of a cliff side. His job is to assist the magician in the stage shows held for the guests. Above ground, the guests are offered every form of luxury. Below ground, in the slimy, green-dripping walls of the basements, is where the magic show equipment is kept – and lurking in an Egyptian sarcophagus amongst scuttling sea-creatures is a secret that draws Mariah into the path of villainy, plots and possible death.”
Taylor says he will have an active part in the film making. “The producers have involved me in many areas and I am helping out as a consultant on the movie which is very exciting.” When asked whether he might follow in the footsteps of Alfred Hitchcock with a walk-on role in the film, Taylor responded, “Hopefully – I think that would be fun. I will have to ask to see what I can do.”
Taylor’s first book, “Shadowmancer” – which was initially self-published – launched him into literary fame and sold millions of copies world-wide. He has been called, “the new C.S. Lewis,” and some of his books acclaimed as “hotter than Potter.”
