Helmer Catherine Hardwicke, who directed the first "Twilight" film, is about to direct another young adult fantasy series, James Patterson's "Maximum Ride."

Hollywood Reporter reports that Columbia Pictures has acquired the film rights to the five-volume series and that Hardwicke has been tapped to direct. Patterson is onboard as exec producer.

The novel series follows the adventure of 14-year-old Maximum Ride and her friends known as the Flock, a group of genetically altered kids that are 98 percent human and 2 percent bird.

"Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" co-writer Don Payne is penning the screenplay. Seaside Entertainment's Avi Arad and Steven Paul will produce.