Writer/director Jonathan Levine (The Wackness) will helm CBS Films’ adaptation of the forthcoming Marie Lu book trilogy, Legend. The press release confirms that Twilight producers Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey have selected Levine to adapt Lu’s novels and included this synopsis:

LEGEND takes place in a dark future, when North America has split into two warring nations. It tells the story of a 15-year-old boy criminal and the 15 year-old girl prodigy hired to hunt him down. When their paths cross, the truth they uncover together will become legend.

Although the first book in the trilogy doesn’t arrive in bookstores until this November, Bowen and Godfrey acquired preemptive rights to the series all the way back in February of this year. Chalk one up for thinking ahead. In addition to Legend, Levine is currently in prep for his zombie film Warm Bodies starring Nicholas Hoult. His comedy/drama 50/50, of which I hear positive things, is set to hit theaters later this year on September 30th. The film stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, and Anna Kendrick.

CBS Films is hopping on the teen fantasy/adventure series adaptation bandwagon by preemptively snatching up the rights to Marie Lu’s upcoming thriller Legend. The book, to be published in November, is the first in a planned trilogy. The story is as follows:

“Taking place in a North America split into two warring nations, [the story] follows a young Robin Hood and a teen prodigy hired to hunt him down who uncover an impossible truth about their totalitarian leaders.”

Variety reports that Twilight producers Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey will produce through their Temple Hill production banner, and Lu would write the screenplay for the film. While the rights have been acquired, a film version is not a guarantee. The book could easily be a flop once it hits shelves later this year, therefore most likely negating the desire for a film adaptation. CBS Films is simply hedging their bets by grabbing the rights early and avoiding a bidding war should the book become wildly popular.