Good news, everyone: a movie written by Michael Scott is being developed! Bad news for fans of The Office: It’s not “Threat Level Midnight.” Rather, Michael Scott the Irish author will script an adaptation of The Alchemyst, the first novel in his acclaimed young adult series The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, for Australia’s AMPCO Films. In the book, twins Josh and Sophie Newman discover that Josh’s bookstore-owning bosses are actually a famed 14thC alchemist and his wife, who have been cheating death for centuries with a magic elixir. When the codex they need to make the potion is stolen by the villainous John Dee, the foursome team up to get it back and foil Dee’s apocalyptic plans.

The series is comprised of six titles in total, with the final entry, The Enchantress, having hit shelves in May. Production on the film is slated to get rolling next February in Australia and New Zealand. It’s an intriguing premise, but I’d still rather see Agent Michael Scarn on the silver screen, tears streaming down his face as he strangles an innocent speed skater with the American flag. Hit the jump for the full press release.

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Press Release:

Los Angeles, CA – June 20, 2012 – Adelaide, Australia-based AMPCO Films has acquired the rights to “THE ALCHEMYST”, the first book in the series “THE SECRETS OF THE IMMORTAL NICHOLAS FLAMEL” by acclaimed author Michael Scott.

Michael Scott will write the screenplay with production commencing in February in Australia and New Zealand.

International Emmy-Award winning Mario Andreacchio (Captain JohnnoNapoleon, Paradise Found, The Dragon Pearl) of AMPCO Films along with Emmy-Award winning Konstantin Thoeren (Peter The Great, Rainer Werner Fassbinder’s Lili Marlene) will be producing.

Former COO of Imagenation Abu Dhabi, Stefan Brunner (Ghostrider: Spirit of Vengeance, The Double) is packaging the project and executive producing along with Scott and Barry Krost.

The deal was brokered and negotiated by Lawless Entertainment’s CEO Cathy Malatesta who will be co-executive producing. Michael Scott is represented by Barry Krost Management.

“THE ALCHEMYST” centers on the legendary 14th century French alchemist, Nicholas Flamel. Records show that he died in 1418, but it is said that he discovered the secret of eternal life and is still alive today.

Nicholas Flamel lives, but only because he has been making the elixir of life for centuries. The secret of eternal life is hidden within the book he protects – the book of Abraham the Mage. In the wrong hands it will destroy the world. That's exactly what Dr. John Dee plans to do when he steals it. Human kind won’t know what’s happening until it’s too late, and if the prophecy is right, teenage twins Sophie and Josh Newman will be the only ones with the power to save the world and they are about to find themselves in the middle of the greatest legend of all time.

Producer Mario Andreacchio said:  “Michael Scott has an incredible gift to combine his amazing story telling skills to entertain the heavily sought after young adult audience, while at the same time drawing on his very sophisticated and deep knowledge of mythology and history. He stunningly creates a modern world connected to the universe of creatures and monsters in an exciting tale for young adults.”

Michael Scott added:  “I immediately responded to the producer’s vision in bringing the first book in the series to life.  We’ve assembled a wonderfully creative team, whom I know will bring “THE ALCHEMYST” to the big screen.”

Michael Scott is one of Ireland’s most prolific and successful writers.   “The ALCHEMYST” is the first book in his six book series, “THE SECRETS OF THE IMMORTAL NICHOLAS FLAMEL.”

“THE ENCHANTRESS”, the last book, was released on May 22nd 2012.

The series is published by Random House, New York. The six titles have appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list and the series is now published in 37 countries and translated into 25 languages.