HBO Max has optioned Lev Rosen‘s YA novel Camp and will develop it into a film. Kit Williamson – creator, director and star of Emmy-nominated series Eastsiders – will write the script, and Jessie Henderson will oversee for the streaming service.
The book revolves around 16-year-old Randy Kapplehoff, who loves spending the summer at Camp Outland, a camp for queer teens. There he meets his best friends, takes to the stage in the big musical, and falls for Hudson Aaronson-Lim, a boy only into straight-acting guys, and barely knows not-at-all-straight-acting Randy even exists.
To counter, Randy reinvents himself over the summer as Del; a buff, masculine and on-the-market camper. It means giving up show tunes, nail polish, and his unicorn bedsheets, but it’s worth it to get Hudson to fall for him. But as he and Hudson grow closer, Randy has to ask himself how much he is willing to change for love. And is it really love anyway if Hudson doesn’t know who he truly is?
As with most book deals it seems nowadays, the novel has yet to be published, but will arrive next week (Tuesday, May 26th). Dan Jinks, whose producing credits include American Beauty, Milk and Big Fish, will produce the film. He said in a statement:
“I found this book hilariously funny and also quite moving. It’s a gay teenage love story that has nothing to do with coming out. A book, and a movie, like this would have meant the world to me when I was growing up. I’m thrilled that HBO Max jumped on board so enthusiastically”.
Rosen has written books for all ages. They include Jack Of Hearts, a YA mystery about a teen sex advice columnist and his anonymous stalker, and Depth, an adult noir that takes place in a New York City flooded by climate change.
#Peace.Love.Camp
