Merrick here...

Fox 2000 has won the bidding war for a book called THE PASSAGE. At this time, it's an incomplete manuscript targeted for adaptation as a trilogy of films. The book, by Justin Cronin, should be published by Ballantine 'round 2009.

THE PASSAGE...

...is a postapocalyptic vampire story set in 2016. The dark tale revolves around a U.S. government project gone awry that turn a group of experimental subjects -- condemned inmates plucked from death row -- into highly infectious vampires. Meanwhile, an orphan named Amy discovers that she has unusual powers, seemingly related to the crisis that quickly overtakes civilized society

...says THIS ARTICLE in Variety.

Current designs point to Ridley Scott producing the adaptations, and possibly directing.

Ridley's never done vampires before; it'll be interesting to see how this unfolds. He came close when he was attached to the Arnold Schwarzenegger version of I AM LEGEND...which, as we all know...didn't work out & is now being brought to us by Will Smith and CONSTANTINE director Francis Lawrence.

However, back in 1983, his brother Tony directed a little fang lady flick many people seem to forget about. THE HUNGER...