The Genius Files by Dan Gutman

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: Warner Bros. Adaptation of Children's Book 'Genius Files' Finds Writer

Commercial director Robert Rugan will pen a script based on Dan Gutman's book with Mike Karz producing.

Robert Rugan, a rising star in the commercial directing world, has been hired to pen the script for Warner Bros.' adaptation of The Genius Files.

Gulfstream Pictures' Mike Karz (New Year's Eve) is producing the project, which is based on the book series by Dan Gutman.

The first tome, published in January 2011, revolves around 12-year-old twins who are recruited to be part of a secret government experiment that uses young geniuses to solve complex national problems. The pair must fight for their lives while on a road trip with their family.

The book was "discovered" when Warner Bros. Pictures president Greg Silverman was shown a copy by his son Cooper and his friend, Jed Siegel, both fourth graders at Oakwood School.

Rugan has done commercial spots for companies ranging from HBO and IFC to Visa and Nikon; his envelope-pushing comedic spot for Durex won two CLIO Awards and the CyberLion at Cannes.

But even though he's receiving attention for his reel, Rugan isn't directing Genius Files, he's writing it. And he got the gig based on his original spec Beauregard Thibodeaux and the Curse of the Rougarou, to which he is attached as director.

He is repped by Verve, Kaplan/Perrone and attorney David Matloff.