The Seeker

Wikipedia: "The Seeker ... is a 2007 film adaptation of the second book in the five-book children's fantasy series The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper. STORY: On his 14th birthday Will Stanton (Alexander Ludwig) finds out that he is the last of a group of warriors – The Light – who have spent their lives fighting against evil – The Dark. Will travels through time to track down the signs that will enable him to confront the evil forces. The Dark is personified by The Rider (Christopher Eccleston)."

Writing: "The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising is based on the second book in Susan Cooper's series The Dark Is Rising Sequence, titled The Dark Is Rising.^[5] Walden Media hired screenwriter John Hodge in October 2005 to adapt the story for the big screen.^[6] The mythology of Cooper's book was considered to be the plot, and Hodge was tasked to interpret the book into events that could be portrayed in a film.^[7] The story, which took place in the 1960s and 1970s in the book, was rewritten to be contemporary. Vikings were included in the film, based on a reference in the book to an old Viking boat which the protagonist discovers.^[8]

Hodge rewrote the protagonist Will Stanton, portrayed by Alexander Ludwig, to be 13 instead of 11. The screenwriter chose this age, considering 11 to be more of a child's age, and 13 to be an age of transition.^[8] Stanton was also written to be American so he would be established as more of an outsider, culturally alien to the story's English setting.^[7] Hodge also wrote new subplots for Ludwig's character in the film, including sibling conflicts, a crush on a young woman (Amelia Warner), and alienation at school.^[9] The script also features the inclusion of many action sequences while seeking to preserve Cooper's narrative.^[7] The character of The Walker, portrayed by Jonathan Jackson, was also rewritten as a younger person with a new story arc about the loss of his soul.^[7] However, Jackson's character was ultimately removed from the film's theatrical cut.^[10] Susan Cooper was reportedly not happy with the adaptation of her book.^[11]"