Though it still doesn't have a release date in the US, director Stuart Beattie, best known in the States for writing Pirates of The Caribbean: The Curse of The Black Pearl, Australia, and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, has been asked to write and direct a sequel to his Australian action-adventure smash hit Tomorrow, When the War Began.

While at the AFI Awards this past Saturday, where Beattie won Best Adaptated Screenplay for Tomorrow, When the War Began, the director stated (via The Sunday Morning Herald):

"I'm writing a new screenplay and they've just asked me to write the sequel to Tomorrow, When the War Began so I'll be working on that as well. Usually films that are made for audiences don't usually get recognition at an awards show so I'm totally shocked and very much appreciative. I just really wanted to make a film that would both satisfy all the people who had read and loved and obsessed over the book, which there are many, and then all the people who just wanted to see a fun film on Saturday night.
It's a very tricky line to walk and it's not always easy to satisfy both groups at once."

Tomorrow, When the War Began is based on John Marsden's popular young adult novel series which details a high-intensity invasion and occupation of Australia by a foreign power. The story follows a teenage girl named Ellie Linton, who forms a small band of teenage freedom fighters to wage guerilla war on the enemy garrison. The first chapter in this series has gone onto become the highest grossing movie of the year in Australia since its September 2nd release in that country.

Tomorrow, When the War Began does not have a US release date at this time, but we can expect to see it here sometime in early 2011. The release was originally delayed because of the Red Dawn remake, which carries a similar storyline and similar themes. At this time, Red Dawn remains in limbo due to MGM's past financial woes, which the studio is currently recovering from.