Producers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman have boarded the languishing fantasy adaptation Dragonology for Universal Pictures. The studio acquired the rights to Dugald A. Steer's childrens book series back in June 2008.

Leonard Hartman was originally set to write the adapted screenplay and executive produce. Now he will only serve as executive producer, with Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman spearheading the effort to find a new writer. The faux non-fiction books are based on the notion that dragons actually exist, which was revealed by Victorian era dragonologist Ernest Drake. The story centers on a team of dragonologists who try to stop a nefarious plot where the remaining dragons will be used to kill every human on the planet.

The book series was first published in 2003, and its 12 titles have sold more than 6 million copies worldwide. The project is just the latest that Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman are shepherding through their first-look deal with Universal. They are also overseeing the remakes for Van Helsing and The Mummy.