Anne McCaffrey's 'Dragonriders Of Pern,' Warner Bros Picks Series As New 'Harry Potter' Franchise After 'The Hobbit: The Battle OF The Five Armies'

As the search for epic-sized fantasy books continues, especially since Harry Potter and The Hobbit have both become global franchises, Warner Bros has picked up author Anne McCaffrey's book series, Dragonriders of Pern to become their next blockbuster hit. Audiences should be prepared to see a fire-breathing dragon with telekinetic powers hitting the big screen.

Since published in 1968, the entire continuity comprises of 22 novels and two collections of short stories. Life on "Pern" revisits a pre-industrial society with lords and servants. As society is divided between the Holders and Holdless, civilization is threatened by the Thread, a foreign agent from the Red Star that eats crops, animals, and humans. The people of Pern use their riders and fire breathing dragons to combat the evil Thread.

According to Deadline, Warner Bros exec Drew Crevello landed the book rights and is spearheading the project with Julia Spiro. Both are looking into launching an entire merchandising and licensing product line. That means there will be lunch boxes, toys, and Halloween costumes to coincide with the film's eventual release dates.

Variety reports that the cinematic adaptation doesn't have a producer assigned. With an actual script and director waiting to be attached, audiences currently have to wait for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies to hit the big screens. Once Peter Jackson's final chapter is released, there is an empty void in the blockbuster department that needs to be filled.

As reported here, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies trailer was presented at San Diego Comic Con. The Dragonriders of Pern has a lot to compete with in terms of CGI and fire-breathing monsters.

Check out the video here:

Will Dragonriders of Pern become the next Harry Potter franchise? Readers, would you like to see more dragons on the big screen?