AceShowbiz -

Now it's Universal Pictures' turn to bring magic into the big screen. The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that the studio is aiming to develop a fantasy feature titled "Simon Bloom, the Gravity Keeper" for Gary Ross to possibly direct.

A live-action adaptation of first-time novelist Michael Reisman's book of the same name, the project has already had Ellen Goldsmith-Vein of the Gotham Group onboard to produce with Ross also taking the same seat alongside his Larger Than Life partner Allison Thomas. No words yet on either cast lineup or production date.

The novel, set to be published in August by Penguin, is the first in an intended series that tells about on an 11-year-old boy and his two friends who own a physics book that gives them ability to alter their world, which is based on physical laws of science. It is said that future installments will incorporate other sciences, such as biology and chemistry.

In related news, the company is also set to make a comedy flick entitled "My Best Friend" as a remake of last year's French hit movie "Mon Meilleur Ami" with Brian Grazer and Agnes Mentre producing. The original, directed and co-written by Patrice Laconte, concerns a woman who throws a challenge to her unlikable business partner to set up an introduction between her and his best friend who he claims to have.