By JAM! Movies

"Men In Black" director Barry Sonnenfeld has signed on to direct an adaptation of the cult kids book series "Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events," Variety reports.

The eight "Snicket" books, written by Daniel Handler, follow the adventures of three orphans as they bounce from guardian to guardian and fend off the rapacious plotting of their distant relative, Count Olaf.

The "Snicket" books have become a sensation among young readers. Five of the New York Times' children's top 10 are held by Handler's series.

Handler will write the screenplay for what is projected as the first film in a franchise, in the same vein as "Harry Potter" -- albeit a darker, off-beat kind of kids story.

"We wanted someone who would define a visual style with a sense of black comedy, and Barry does that so well," Nickelodeon Films Albie Hecht told Variety.

Sonnenfeld's resume also includes "Addams Family Valules" and "Get Shorty."