Frank Zappa Progeny Scores With Mouse House

Chalk up another example of the law of unintended consequences. Ahmet Zappa started out writing a gimmick cook book, which his publisher asked him to turn into a novel (perhaps sensing a Harry Potter phenom in the making) and then the major studios got into a bidding war for the rights. The book is Zappa’s first attempt at a novel. And it hasn’t been published yet.

This morning, Walt Disney Pictures and Jerry Bruckheimer Films announced they’ve paid Zappa $1.5 million for film rights to Monstrous Memoirs of a Mighty McFearless. The book follows the adventures of a young brother and sister after they learn that their family is part of a long line of monster hunters. In the central part of the tome, the squabbling duo band together to take on the most diabolical creature in the universe.

The Random House book title is set for publication in August as a hardcover with full-color art. Zappa wrote the story and drew some 300 illustrations.

Disney and Bruckheimer won a bidding war against Warner Bros. and Paramount’s Plan B. The ubiquitous Bruckheimer will produce the film. Random House reportedly made a deal for the book in fall 2003 based on eight pages and some art.