According to Variety, Fox 2000 Pictures has inked a seven-figure deal with Young Guns scribe John Fusco to adapt "Wolf Brother," the first book in the "Chronicles of Darkness" books by British author Michelle Paver.

First optioned by Fox 2000 last January for $250,000 against $1 million, the children's book is set 6,000 years ago and follows a 12-year-old as he and his wolf companion try to save the world from evil forces.

"Wolf Brother" became a bestseller in the U.K., where publisher Orion holds the rights. Novel sold more than 100,000 copies within a few weeks of its U.K. bow last September. The second book in the series, "Spirit Walker," is due out in the U.K. next month and arrives in the U.S. next year.

Fusco recently penned both the script to DreamWorks' animated pic Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron as well as last year's Disney horse opera, Hidalgo.

The pic is being produced by Ridley and Tony Scott's Fox-based Scott Free shingle, with Scott Free production exec Erin Upson overseeing the project's development.