“Seeker: dark is rising” faces inevitable Comparison with “Harry Potter”

“The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising” tells the story of Will Stanton (Alexander Ludwig), who learns that he is actually the last of the “Old Ones,” a group of immortal warriors and guardians dedicated to fighting the forces of the Dark. As the Sign-Seeker, Will embarks on a journey in search of the six magical Signs needed by the Old Ones for the future battle between the Dark and the Light. Will’s endeavor is full of peril, wonder, reward, and delight as he meets myriad allies and foes in uncovering a series of mysterious clues.

The Dark is Rising features elements from English folklore woven into an exhilarating story. Magic, artifacts, mystery, good and evil characters, and Will’s release from the laws of the universe that bind space and time all come together to spin an enthralling story.

Inevitably, comparisons will be drawn with the Harry Potter series — British books, a young hero who must confront great evil, a great deal of magic — but Ludwig, like his director, David L. Cunningham (‘The Path to 9/11’) thinks they’ve got a much more realistic vibe going on. “I find they do have a lot of similarities and people will draw comparisons,” agrees the bright 14-year-old from Vancouver, still hardly able to believe he’s been given this chance. “But Will is totally different to Harry Potter in so many ways because it’s about discovering things about himself. As Will, I have to figure out what’s going on inside of me. Why am I travelling through time? It’s all why why why…? It’s like what’s my purpose?”

Added to this, right from the first film in a potential series, the hero is confronted with romantic problems, falling for Maggie Barns (Amelia Warner, who stars with Phil. actor Iza Calzado in “The Echo”), an older girl with her own set of secrets. “It’s kind of puppy love,” laughs Ludwig. “But that can be serious, I’ve felt it myself.”

The role was a dream come true for Ludwig. “The second that I read the script, I knew that this part was for me,” says the young actor. “I absolutely knew it. Ever since I’ve been a little kid I’ve always wanted superpowers — which is the coolest thing in the world. So I read the script and loved it and I really, really wanted this part. You have no idea. I’ve never wanted a part more than this one.”

“The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising” opens very soon in theaters nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.