Zoo City To Become Film

Super-talented author/scriptwriter/journalist Lauren Beukes is having a very good year. First she joined the ranks of SFF hard-hitters such as Margaret Atwood and China Mieville as the recipient of an Arthur C Clarke award for her urban fantasy Zoo City, and now she's bagged a movie deal. Helen Spring, one of the people behind Oscar-nominated Yesterday, has optioned the rights to the critical and commercial hit novel.



Can Zoo City become the next District 9? It's early days yet but the book's international success bodes well for its silver screen chances. Like District 9, it's got a truly original premise and a vibrant setting that's sure to capture the imagination of moviegoers sick of the same old, same old sci-fi. Perhaps Beukes' first novel, Moxyland, will be next if the Zoo City film becomes a success.

If you're drooling over the cover, it's by Cape Town illustrator Joey Hi-Fi, whose stuff you should go check out right now here. There is also a Zoo City exhibit on right now at the Old Fort Museum in Joburg, which runs until 8 December.

Wouldn't Zoo City make a great Christmas present for the sci-fi fan in your life? Or the SA fiction enthusiast who's just a little sick of memoirs and political novels? Or yourself? Yes, yes it would. If they or you have already read it, there's always the soundtrack.