MGM enlists Broadway helmer for 'Heck'

Timbers"Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" helmer Alex Timbers is within final discussions to create his feature directorial debut with MGM's "Heck," according to Random House's best-selling children's book series by Dale E. Basye."Dante's Inferno"-esque story follows a boy and the older sister who die inside a freak accident and therefore are delivered to Heck, a reform school for children within the afterlife where instructors include Richard Nixon and Lizzie Borden. The duo intend to escape with the aid of a roadmap-carrying friend.First entry within the four-book series is entitled "Heck: In Which The Bad Kids Go," while followups in regards to the different circles of Heck are entitled "Rapacia," "Blimpo" and "Fibble." Having a fifth book due this spring, MGM may go through that Basye's series has franchise potential.Karen Rosenfelt is creating the pic, which is overseen by MGM prexy Jonathan Glickman and production Vice president Cassidy Lange. "Saturday Evening Live" scribe David Iserson composed the initial draft from the script, which is rewritten by Chris Weitz.Because the Tony-nominated author and director from the acclaimed Broadway rock musical "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" (which assisted launch the film career of Benjamin Master, star of Fox's "Abraham Lincoln subsequently: Vampire Hunter), Timbers has proven themself among the top theater company directors on the planet. Younger crowd directed Paul Reubens on Broadway in "The Pee Wee Herman Show." Timbers will next direct "Rocky: The Musical" for producer Sylvester Stallone. That demonstrate will premiere in Germany at the end of 2012.Around the feature side, Timbers has offered a pitch according to an authentic comedy idea to MRC and it is mounted on write and direct the project. He's repped by WME, Quality Media Co. and attorney Dork Feldman. Contact Shaun Sneider at shaun.sneider@variety.com