Author Don Winslow has a new project; a prequel to his 2010 novel Savages. Above, we’ve embedded the book trailer for the original book.

According to Deadline, screenwriter Shane Salerno conceived of the idea; Salerno adapted Savages into a screenplay for its forthcoming film adaptation. Simon & Schuster has set a publication date for the prequel to coincide with the film’s release in 2012.

Here’s more from the L.A. Times: “The film begins shooting next month with the Oscar-winning director [Oliver Stone] at the helm. With Stone comes a star-heavy cast, including John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Emile Hirsch, Salma Hayek, Taylor Kitsch, Blake Lively, Aaron Johnson and Benicio Del Toro.”

As unhappy kids around the world ponder the eventual end of the Harry Potter franchise, “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” series is poised to replace the boy wizard at the multiplex.

This weekend, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” screenings will feature that trailer for the adaptation of the “The Lightning Thief,” the first installment in the series by Rick Riordan. According to the Examiner, the book follows an ongoing quest led by a young half-god. The movie is directed by Chris Columbus, who helmed the first two Potter films.

Here’s more from the article: “These books have a Harry Potter meets Chronicles of Narnia feeling that becomes a fresh and unique take on the young hero story by drawing on Greek mythology. Casting for this movie includes familiar names like Pierce Brosnon, Rosario Dawson, Uma Thurman and Kevin McKidd.”