MELUSINE
A captivating fantasy adventure set in the medieval Kingdom of Jerusalem, based on the novel by Corinne De Vailly.
Project Overview
1
Genre
Fantasy (30%), Historical (20%), Adventure (15%), Drama (15%), Action (10%), Romance (5%), Mystery (5%)
2
Budget
€100-150 million production budget
3
Rating
R for strong violence and epic warfare
4
Runtime
147 minutes - 2 hours and 27 minutes
Synopsis
In 12th-century Jerusalem, a young page named Penley, marked by a serpent-shaped birthmark, discovers he is a descendant of the fairy goddess Melusine. As he uncovers the truth about his mystical lineage, he embarks on a perilous quest to find the magical rings of Melusine artifacts with the power to either protect or destroy entire kingdoms. Along the way, Penley must navigate political intrigue, epic battles, and the challenges of forbidden love to save the kingdom from impending doom.
Key Characters
Penley
Penley is the central character of the script, a young boy who grows into a brave and honorable knight. He is marked by a serpent birthmark, indicating his connection to the mythical Melusine. Throughout the story, Penley is driven by a quest for redemption and justice, seeking to uncover the truth about his father, Manasses, and the mysterious rings of Melusine. His journey is one of self-discovery, love, and the struggle between honor and betrayal. Penley is portrayed as courageous, determined, and deeply connected to the mystical world of Melusine.
Princess Sibylle
Sibylle is a princess of Jerusalem, caught in the political and mystical turmoil of the kingdom. She is intelligent, strong-willed, and deeply connected to the mystical rings of Melusine. Her relationship with Penley is central to the narrative, as they share a bond of love and destiny. Sibylle is portrayed as a woman of strength and vulnerability, navigating the challenges of leadership and personal sacrifice.
Melusine
Mythical fairy goddess guiding Penley from the spirit realm
Noam
Kabbalah Astrologer teaching Penley to navigate using water to travel between realms
Jabir
Jabir is a complex antagonist in the story, a former guardsman turned rogue. He is driven by vengeance and a desire for power, often clashing with Penley and the other protagonists. Jabir is portrayed as cunning, ruthless, and deeply connected to the darker elements of the narrative. His actions and motivations are central to the conflict and tension within the story.
Manasses
Manasses is a fallen hero consumed by his failures. He embodies the potential dangers of the Melusine legacy when corrupted by human weakness, fear, and compromised honor. He is driven by a desperate need for redemption he can no longer achieve himself, projecting this onto Penley. Though capable of love and flashes of his former strength, his defining actions are betrayal and abandonment, making him a tragic figure whose legacy is both a burden and a crucial guidepost for his son's quest.
The Legend of Melusine
Melusine is a mythical water fairy from medieval European folklore. She is often depicted as a beautiful woman with a serpent or fish tail who is cursed to transform every Saturday.
Visual Style
Historical Accuracy
Meticulously researched 12th century Crusader Kingdom costumes, armor, and architecture. Authentic Jerusalem stonework, period-accurate weaponry, and Byzantine-influenced royal court attire will create an immersive medieval world.
Fantasy Elements
Ethereal blue-green water effects for Melusine's appearances, shimmering serpentine patterns, and luminescent magical rings. Mystical transitions between realms will use flowing water imagery and subtle light distortions to blend reality with fantasy.
Epic Scale
Sweeping battle scenes featuring hundreds of knights in Jerusalem's desert landscapes, majestic aerial shots of medieval fortresses, and dramatic coastal sequences showcasing Melusine's water domain. Practical effects will be combined with CGI for authenticity.
Production Team
Matteo Garrone
DISCLAIMER : Director is not attached and represent only producer's wishlist
Thierry Labbe
Producer
Marco Greco
Line Producer
Proposed Cast
Ana De Armas
Lucas Till
Maria Pedreza
Alexander Dreymon
DISCLAIMER : Actors are not attached and represent only producer's wishlist
Filming Locations
Cinecittà Studios, Italy
World-class facilities for set construction and studio shooting
Malta Film Studios
Largest water tanks in the world for naval and underwater scenes
South Tyrol, Italy
Stunning landscapes and medieval architecture for on-location filming
Market Potential
Comparable fantasy-adventure films have shown strong box office performance, indicating potential for MELUSINE's success.
Thor: Ragnarok
$850,482,778 worldwide box office
Fantasy-adventure with mythological elements and visual spectacle
Thor: The Dark World
$644,602,516 worldwide box office
Mythology-based fantasy with European settings and magical elements
Wrath of the Titans
$273,330,185 worldwide box office
Mythological fantasy featuring legendary creatures and ancient magic
Television Potential
The rich world and characters of MELUSINE offer opportunities for expansion into television, following the success of fantasy series like The Shannara Chronicles.
Publishing Partnership
We could easily imagine the appeal this adventure series could have for French readers... With a movie adapted from a book, we can imagine different editions and formats so as to create large visibility and buzz around both works.
- Isabel Vitorino, Editor - Hachette Romans

HACHETTE PUBLICATION

HACHETTE PUBLICATION

www.goodreads.com

Mélusine et Philémon Series by Corinne de Vailly

L'Anneau du Diable, L'Ordre de l'Épée, L'Anneau du diable - L'Ordre de l'Epée, and Par les larmes et le sang - Le Cri de la femme-serpent

Vision Statement
Our vision for Melusine is to bring a captivating European legend to the global screen through an emotionally resonant character journey. By grounding the fantastical story of Melusine's descendant, Penley, and his quest for magical rings within the authentic, high-stakes world of the failing Kingdom of Jerusalem, we will explore the enduring power of myth, the weight of legacy, and the impossible choices demanded by love and duty in a film that is both epic in scope and intimate in its portrayal of the human heart.
Set against the backdrop of the Crusades and the rise of Saladin, the film follows a young knight's perilous quest for legendary rings tied to his fae ancestry. A journey forcing him to confront betrayal, redeem his bloodline, and fight for a love doomed by duty. We envision a film rich in visual spectacle, historical drama, and mythical resonance, exploring whether honor and love can prevail against the tides of war and ambition.
Next Steps
1
Pre-production
Finalize script, secure key cast and crew, begin location scouting
2
Production
Principal photography in Italy and Malta, estimated 12-16 weeks
3
Post-production
VFX, editing, and sound design in Quebec
4
Release
Coordinate theatrical release with book publishing for maximum impact
Financial Incentives
Italy
40% tax credit on eligible production costs, up to €20M per project
Malta
Up to 40% cash rebate on eligible expenditure
South Tyrol
IDM Film Fund offers up to €1.5M per project, covering up to 50% of production costs