Variety is reporting that Christopher Columbus, producer of the Harry Potter films and director of the first two, will be directing and producing the bring screen version of Rick Riordon’s The Lightning Thief.

The Lightning Thief is the first of a five book series of fantasy novels for children.

What if the gods of Olympus were alive in the 21st Century? What if they still fell in love with mortals and had children who might become great heroes — like Theseus, Jason and Hercules?
What if you were one of those children?

Such is the discovery that launches twelve-year-old Percy Jackson on the most dangerous quest of his life. With the help of a satyr and a daughter of Athena, Percy must journey across the United States to catch a thief who has stolen the original weapon of mass destruction – Zeus’ master bolt. Along the way, he must face a host of mythological enemies determined to stop him. Most of all, he must come to terms with a father he has never known, and an Oracle that has warned him of betrayal by a friend.

In addition to the New York Times bestselling Percy Jackson novels, Rick is also an award-winning mystery novelist. His Tres Navarre Series has won the Edgar (Mystery Writers of America), the Shamus (P. I. Writers of America) and the Anthony (Handed out by the attendees of the World Mystery Convention AKA Bouchercon) awards.