C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters to be put on film

Walden Media, who has produced (and is producing) Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia on film (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in 2005; Currently producing Prince Caspian), has decided to put Lewis' book, The Screwtape Letters, on film. Ralph Winter, a Christian producer, will also be working on the movie. This should be interesting to see visually, since the book is written as a series of letters from a senior demon, Screwtape, to his nephew, Wormwood, on how to properly tempt mankind, particularly Christians. Christianity Today reports here:

Ralph Winter—producer of the X-Men and Fantastic Four films—is a well-known Christian in Hollywood, and Walden Media has scored one of the biggest box office hits in recent years with their adaptation of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, by beloved Christian author C. S. Lewis.

Now these two forces are joining for another Lewis adaptation—this time, his cherished spiritual warfare novel, The Screwtape Letters. Variety reports that Winter will produce the adaptation in association with Walden Media.

The adaptation—described as a "midbudget," mostly live-action film—is slated for release some time in 2008. The novel, first published in 1942, is written as a series of letters between two demons, the elder Screwtape and his young nephew, Wormwood, with the seasoned demon offering his young protégé advice on undermining Christian faith and spreading wickedness.

Lewis' stepson, Douglas Gresham—who supervised the production of Wardrobe—will be producing alongside Winter.

Read Peter Chattaway's musings about this project here.