Disney Branded Television has officially acquired the rights to Rucker Moses and Theo Gangi’s fantasy children’s novel series Kingston and the Magician’s Lost & Found as well as to its sequel Kingston and the Echoes of Magic. The studio is currently developing an original movie adaptation of the first novel.
“We are thrilled to partner with Craig, Harold and Theo and bring their heartfelt story of wonder and mystery to our audience,” President of Disney Branded Television, Ayo Davis said in a statement (via Deadline). “Set against the backdrop of true magical history, this is an inspiring adventure of extraordinary moments happening in everyday situations.”
Disney Branded Television’s SVP of Original Movies, Lauren Kisilevsky added, “‘Kingston’ is an adventure that is epic and intimate, set in a world that is both mysterious and familiar — with a story and characters our audience can relate to and be awed by. The adventure, emotion and authenticity in these books align with our mission to tell stories that not only engage and entertain but remind us that there is magic all around us, even in the most unexpected places.”
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First published earlier this year, Kingston and the Magician’s Lost & Found centers around a 12-year-old kid who finds out that there’s something more to his father’s disappearance than meets the eye. With the help of his cousin and friend, he takes on the challenge of solving the clues his father had left behind in order to find him and bring back the magic to Echo City.
Pick up a copy of the novel here.
The first book’s official synopsis reads: “Twelve-year-old Kingston has just moved from the suburbs back to Echo City, Brooklyn—the last place his father was seen alive. Kingston’s father was King Preston, one of the world’s greatest magicians. Until one trick went wrong and he disappeared. Now that Kingston is back in Echo City, he’s determined to find his father.
Somehow, though, when his father disappeared, he took all of Echo City’s magic with him. Now Echo City—a ghost of its past—is living up to its name. With no magic left, the magicians have packed up and left town and those who’ve stayed behind don’t look too kindly on any who reminds them of what they once had.
When Kingston finds a magic box his father left behind as a clue, Kingston knows there’s more to his father’s disappearance than meets the eye. He’ll have to keep it a secret—that is, until he can restore magic to Echo City. With his cousin Veronica and childhood friend Too Tall Eddie, Kingston works to solve the clues, but one wrong move and his father might not be the only one who goes missing.”
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The film adaptation is executive produced by Jane Startz, Craig S. Phillips, Harold Hayes Jr., and Gangi. Following the first book’s debut last February, it was immediately followed by a sequel titled Kingston and the Echoes of Magic, which was just released last month.
