Anne Rice's 'Vampire Chronicles' in the works at Universal

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles novels are being adapted at Universal.

The studio has acquired movie rights with Brian Grazer and his production company, Imagine Entertainment. Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, who co-wrote and produced Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), will produce.

The book series chronicles the exploits of Lestat de Lioncourt, an 18th century French aristocrat transformed into a vampire by the character Magnus. Titles include Interview with the Vampire (1976), The Vampire Lestat (1985), The Queen of the Damned (1988), The Tale of the Body Thief (1992), Memnoch the Devil (1995), The Vampire Armand (1988), Merrick (2000), Blood and Gold (2001), Blackwood Farm (2002), Blood Canticle (2003) and the forthcoming Prince Lestat. The deal also covers the screenplay for Tale of the Body Thief written by Rice's son, Christopher Rice.

Rival studio Warner Bros. previously adapted Interview with the Vampire (1994) with Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, and Queen of the Damned (2002) with Aaliyah and Stuart Townsend. The former grossed $220 million at the box office, while the latter brought in $45 million.

Prince Lestat will be published October 28.