'Encyclopedia Brown' Movie in the Works

Hollywood just can't seem to get enough of beloved children's book series. Following news that there's now a "Choose Your Own Adventure" feature in the works, the Hollywood Reporter broke the story that "Encyclopedia Brown" will also get a shot at the big screen.

The series starred Leroy Brown, nicknamed Encyclopedia, a young boy detective who solved petty crimes through his own agency run out of the family garage. Brown also had frequent run-ins with local bully Bugs Meany, perhaps the most literal-named character in all of children's literature.

There were 28 books in the series, written by Donald J. Sobol, from 1963 until his death in 2012. Each book contained about 10 different mysteries, so there's plenty of fodder for a feature to explore.


THR notes that several previous attempts to adapt the franchise never took off, including a 1980s movie that was to star Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn. This time around, producer Roy Lee is taking a crack at the books.

Lee is also behind the upcoming animated "Legos" feature and an "Archie" comics adaptation. The success of those projects could foreshadow "Encyclopedia"'s chances at a quality film.