Pomare book adapted Into Disney series
Australian actress of Lord of the Rings fame in star role
Rotorua-born author Joshua Pomare’s book is being adapted into a Disney series. The 33-year-old, also known as J.P. Pomare, told the Rotorua Daily Post he was “absolutely over the moon” that his second novel, a psychological thriller called In The Clearing, would be adapted to an eight-part Disney series called The Clearing.
Pomare, who lives in Melbourne with his wife Paige and 2-year-old daughter Blake, said filming would start at the end of June in rural Victoria.
The series will star Australian actress Miranda Otto, of Lord of the Rings fame; Guy Pearce, who starred in Memento; and Teresa Palmer from A Discovery of Witches.
Pomare said he felt a “strong sense of pride and joy” about the adaptation of his “favourite” book.
“I still pinch myself because it’s all happened so quickly and it’s such a privilege to have a big streamer on board — it’s very exciting.
“I’m extremely happy but it feels very much like [being] a tourist in this because it’s quite glamorous — I’m just sort of taking it in and enjoying the ride.”
The book was inspired by a cult which was “relatively unknown” outside of Victoria and was “most active” during the 1970s and 1980s.
The story is about a woman “recluse” who wanted to raise and protect her son, but did not engage in society in a way that “most of us do”.
“She sort of clashes in a way with this cult that’s living in the bush near here.”
Pomare said it had always been a “pipe dream” to have one of his books end up on the big screen but he had never written with the intent of an
I still pinch myself because it’s all
happened so quickly and it’s such a privilege to have a big streamer on board - it’s very exciting.
Joshua Pomare
adaptation.
He liked to think he wrote in a “cinematic way” and his book was often quite dialogue-heavy, with lots of action.
“There’s more of the story that’s not on the page, which I think film people like.”
He said the potential for exposure was so much higher with film than books and hoped this would help create awareness around this work.
“It just means more people are exposed to my work, which is ultimately the goal with books — you want readers. So I think that part of it is really significant for me as well.”
He said In The Clearing was dedicated to his father, Bill Pomare.
“Dad bought me a laptop when I was 18. I think he’s just one of the great storytellers in my life.”
His first book, Call Me Evie, was dedicated to his wife Paige and his mother, who died when he was younger.
“Dad was probably next in line in terms of how he shaped me as a human and influenced my career.”
Bill Pomare told the Rotorua Daily Post he was “very proud” of Joshua and the adaptation was a big break for his career.
“I would have been happy if I had a part in the movie but it doesn’t look like I made the shortlist,” he joked.
“I thought it was very good that the first book that makes it to the movies is the one that he dedicated to me,” Bill said.
“I think he can go ahead and ... [be] the New Zealand Stephen King, perhaps.”
Bill said Joshua recently stayed with him.
“His head’s in a good space — he’s very happy and things are coming along quite nicely for him.”
The series is due to be released on Disney Plus in the first quarter of next year.