Paramount has hired the writing duo of Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson to pen an adaptation of the Image Comics title Lions, Tigers, and Bears. Created by Mike Bullock, Lions, Tigers, and Bears focuses on an 8-year-old boy, Joey Price, who finds out that his stuffed animals are responsible for protecting him from the monsters that reside in his closet. The studio originally acquired rights to the title a few years ago and Heat Vision reports that it would like to franchise the property as an “effects-heavy live action tentpole.” In addition to this gig, Epstein and Jacobson are also penning the script to an adaptation of their children’s book The Familiars. Sam Raimi will produce that pic with Doug Sweetland set to direct.

For more on Lions, Tigers, and Bears, hit the jump to check out a brief synopsis of the comic.

Doug Sweetland, who directed the wonderful Looney Tunes-style Pixar short Presto, has been tapped to helm Sony Pictures Animation’s The Familiars.  Per Heat Vision, “The story centers on three young wizard apprentices who, after being whisked away by an evil queen, must rely on their animal companions, or familiars — an alley cat, a blue jay and a tree frog — to escape.”  Adam Jay Epstein and Andrew Jacobson will write the screenplay based on their recently-released children’s book.  Sam Raimi and Josh Donen are executive producing.

Sweetland worked at Pixar for 16 years and earned Annie awards for his work on Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, and Toy Story 2.  He earned an Annie nomination and an Oscar nomination for Presto.