BERLIN, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- The Weinstein Co. executives said in Berlin Sunday they have purchased the U.S. rights to "Blood Sisters," the first installment on a new vampire movie series.
Weinstein said the film, based on author Richard Mead's "Vampire Academy" fantasy series, will go into production this summer and will be aimed for a Feb. 14, 2014, release, Variety reported.
Mark Waters, whose brother Dan wrote the script, is to direct the movie, with Zoey Deutch and Lucy Fry signed to play lead characters Rose and Lissa. Danila Kozlovski will play Dimitri.
"Blood Sisters," set at St. Vladimir's Academy in a Montana forest, tells the tale of Rose Hathaway, a 17-year-old "dhampir" -- a half human/half vampire and a guardian of the Moroi race of peaceful mortal vampires in conflict with the Strigoi, a race of predatory, immortal vampires, Variety said.
The six "Vampire Academy" books have sold more than 8 million copies in 35 countries, with four of them making The New York Times bestsellers list.
