The author of the "Stormbreaker" book series Anthony Horowitz has come to the conclusion that Alex Pettyfer is too old to reprise the role of Alex Rider in the film series. Horowitz says the actor, who is now 17-years-old, has grown up to much to continue playing the character who remains 14-years-old throughout the book series.
Horowitz said, "It was a conscious decision to keep him (Rider, the main character) at that age. Alex Pettyfer is a strapping young man so even if we were to go ahead and make the sequel, Point Blank, I don't think he would have been up for it, even if the character had got a bit older."
The original film was only able to gross $23,492,130 worldwide, and wasn't even thought to have a chance at getting another opportunity to turn it into a franchise.
This particular film will have to outperform in order to justify pursuing the possibility of it becoming a franchise film series.
There was too big of a disconnect between the book and the film for the existing fan base to make it compelling the first time around. That will have to be overcome this time if the project is to become a success.
Horowitz already has a script in place and the film is said to be scheduled for release sometime in 2008.
As far as Pettyfer goes, it must be hard to be too old for the part at the ripe old age of 17.
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