Spiderwick Chronicles Director Seeking Real Kids

Do you know twin boys who should be movie stars? Paramount Pictures is seeking one pair of identical twin boys, aged 9 to11, to play the lead roles in “The Spiderwick Chronicles,” a new fantasy film based on the best-selling series of books. No acting experience is necessary.

“We’re throwing out a wide net,” said director Mark Waters during a telephone interview.

“Anybody who has twins or who knows someone who has twin boys, we need to hear from them,” said Waters.

Interested twins and their families can log on to www.spiderwickcasting.com to learn more details about how to submit an audition tape. The film will begin production in summer 2006.

“We’re opening up the ‘Spiderwick’ casting experience. We really are looking for an unknown pair of kids. The website has all the information you need to make your tape and mail it to us,” said Waters.

When the three Grace children – troubled Jared; his bookish twin, Simon; and their sister, Mallory, a fencing jock – move to the ancient Spiderwick mansion, they are less than enthused, until they discover a Brownie, an enchanted creature, living in the walls.

They soon find a book, “Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You,” that opens their eyes to the invisible, odd, and sometimes dangerous world of dragons and boggarts, phookas and fairies.

“We’re not really looking for big names or recognizable people. They have to look like kids. You never know – you might be just what we’re looking for,” said director Waters, who is originally from northern Indiana.

Deadline for submissions is June 16.

Waters is best known for directing “Freaky Friday,” “Mean Girls,” and “Just Like Heaven.”

The movie will be released in the Fall of 2007.