Interview with Kathryn Lasky on Wolves and Owls

Kathryn Lasky chats with KidsReads.com about the upcoming Guardians of Ga’Hoole movie and the Wolves of the Beyond series. She confirms that she has finished book two in the Wolves series, currently untitled, and that she has planned four books in total.

A new tidbit she revealed is that we’ll be seeing more of Gwynneth, masked owl and artistic Rogue smith, and that she will act as “a bridge between the world of the wolves and that of the owls.” That begs the question: if she’s acting as a bridge, that means the owl world will play an equal role in this series as well?

She also recounts what we already know about the Ga’Hoole movie (I guess she knows as much as her fans at the moment!), including that it is made in CGI, presented in 3D, directed by Zack Snyder, includes the voices of a bunch of people (see the interview for details) and will be in theatres on September 24, 2010. That last bit is the one that got me really excited: there’s been plenty of date changes, and I want to take Kathryn’s word for this one. Hopefully the first trailer will be out by April or May 2010.

Key Questions from the Interview

KidsReads: In LONE WOLF, Gwynneth, a masked owl, plays an important role helping Faolan along his journey. Will we see Gwynneth or other owls from Ga’Hoole in future Wolves of the Beyond books?

Kathryn Lasky: Oh yes, you will see a lot more of Gwynneth. She is really a bridge between the world of the wolves and that of the owls. I love writing about her. She has a deep understanding of the wolves. So she is going to be a very vital part of the future books.

KidsReads: What can you tell us about plans for a movie based on the Ga’Hoole series?

Kathryn Lasky: I can’t tell you too much because I don’t know that much. Here’s what I do know. The movie will come out on September 24, 2010. The actors who are doing the voices are absolutely fantastic — Helen Mirren, Sam Neill, Geoffrey Rush, Ryan Kwanten, Jim Sturgess, Hugo Weaving, Rachael Taylor. The director is Zack Snyder. I understand from those who have seen little bits and pieces that the animation is extraordinary. It is 3D CGI. So that’s all I know.

KidsReads: How many books are planned in the Wolves of the Beyond series? What are you working on now?

Kathryn Lasky: So far there are four books planned, and I have just finished book two, which as of now is untitled.