Category Archives: Comic Book Adaptations

Jim Starlin’s Dreadstar Headed to the Big Screen

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Jim Starlin, the creator of Mad Titan Thanos at Marvel, has had his very own science fiction epic optioned for the big screen. His comic series, “Dreadstar” has been acquired for film by Benderspink and Illuminati Entertainment.

Running for over sixty issues, “Dreadstar” tells the story of Vanth Dreadstar, the lone survivor of the obliterated Milky Way Galaxy who is caught in the middle of a longstanding war between two powerful empires with his band of misfits Syzygy Darklock, Willow and Oedi.

The comic series was initially published in 1982 and was hailed by fans and critics. J.C. Spink of Benderspink told The Hollywood Reporter,

“Apart from Star Wars, this was my favorite science fiction story growing up.”

Illuminati’s Ford Lytle Gilmore also added,

“Dreadstar is one of the most important comics on the 1980s, paving the way for creators to control their own creations. After decades of Jim exercising that control and turning away countless Hollywood suitors, I’m excited he’s trusting me and J.C. to do it right.”

The pair will produce the film which is currently on the lookout for a screenwriter before securing a distributor or financier.

There is no word yet on when the project will go into production or who the studio is eyeing to star.

Ant-Man Targets Corey Stoll for Mystery Role

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Poor pawn Peter Russo, also known as Corey Stoll, has joined a mystery role in the upcoming Marvel film, Ant-Man. He’ll join Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas for the July 17, 2015 release with Evangeline Lilly, Michael Pena and Patrick Wilson also still in talks to form the cast.

Stoll recently starred in the first season of the Netflix Original Series, “House of Cards.” He is also well-known for big screen roles in projects like The Bourne Legacy, Salt and Midnight in Paris.

Ant-Man is set to begin production shortly in George. It is directed by Edgar Wright who also co-wrote the script with Joe Cornish. The film, which is supposed to launch “Phase Three” of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, will follow Avengers: Age of Ultron‘s May 1, 2015 release.

Watch the Pilot Episode of “Enormous” Adaptation

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The official pilot episode of “Enormous” the live action adaptation of the comic series, is available online. It was announced back in November that Machinima would be adapting the project based on the comic book created by Tim Daniel and Mehdi Cheggour.

“Enormous” stars Steve Brand, Ceren Lee, Erica Gimpel, Garret Coffey, Billy Miller and Charles Melton, the pilot was directed by BenDavid Grabinski from a script he co-wrote with Troll Hunter‘s Andre Ovredal.

The series is officially described as follows:

“The world as we know it has ended. A group of survivors on a mission now find themselves face to face with unspeakable dangers, some human and some…much bigger.”

Watch the first episode below!

Sony Plans The Harlem Hellfighters Adaptation

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Max Brooks is definitely doing something right. The “World War Z” author has had another project picked up for the big screen. Sony Pictures will be adapting his upcoming graphic novel, “The Harlem Hellfighters.” The graphic novel was illustrated by Caanan White and will be published next month.

“The Harlem Hellfighters” is set up for development through Overbrook with Josh Bratman attached to produce.

In 1919, the 369th infantry regiment marched triumphantly home from World War 1. They had spent more time in combat than any other American unit, never losing a foot of ground to the enemy, or a man to capture, and winning countless decorations. Though they returned as heroes, this African American unit faced tremendous discrimination, even from their own government. The Harlem Hellfighters, as the Germans called them, fought courageously on—and off—the battlefield to make Europe, and America, safe for democracy.

In “The Harlem Hellfighters,” bestselling author Max Brooks and acclaimed illustrator Caanan White bring this history to life. From the enlistment lines in Harlem to the training camp at Spartanburg, South Carolina, to the trenches in France, they tell the heroic story of the 369th in an action packed and powerful tale of honor and heart.

Exclusive Deleted Scene from Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World

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A brand new deleted scene from Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World has been revealed. It is one of the two new deleted scenes now available exclusively on Disney Movies Anywhere, Disney’s all-new, cloud-based digital movie service that enables consumers to discover, purchase, and watch movies from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel.

Marvel’s “Thor: The Dark World” continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself.  In the aftermath of Marvel’s “Thor” and “Marvel’s The Avengers,” Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos…but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. To defeat an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor sets upon his most dangerous and personal journey yet, forced into an alliance with the treacherous Loki to save not only his people and those he loves…but our universe itself.

Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba,Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano, Jaimie Alexander and Rene Russo.

You can watch the exclusive deleted scene below:

Bryan Singer’s Bad Hat Harry Options “Haunted” Comic

 

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The Red 5 Comics upcoming series, “Haunted,” has not even hit the shelves yet but it has already been optioned for film by Bryan Singer’s Bad Hat Harry Productions. As Red 5 is an independent publisher, the best way to ensure your copy of “Haunted” this spring is to pre-order it before February 28 from your comic shop using order code FEB141420. “Haunted #1” of the four-issue series is set for release on April 30, 2014.

“Haunted” shows us a world where the barrier between our world and the spiritual realm was mysteriously torn apart allowing the Earth to be overrun by ghosts, demons and poltergeists. Creatures once thought to be mythological terrorized mankind and society collapsed. Thirteen years later, Sarah McCallister manages to survive by being tough, smart, and looking out only for herself. But when a chance to set the world back to normal arises, she finds herself in the compromising position of putting her faith in strangers for the first time.

The four-part horror action-adventure was written by Scott Chitwood (“Drone,” “Afterburn,” “Dead or Alive”), illustrated by newcomer Danny Luckert, and colored by Ivan Plascencia (“Neozoic: Trader’s Gambit”). It is also featured in Red 5’s 2014 Free Comic Book Day issue.

“The problem with most ghost stories is that if the characters simply leave the haunted house, all of their problems are over,” said Chitwood. “But if the entire world is the haunted house, there’s nowhere to run or hide. Imagine the end of ‘Ghostbusters,’ but with the heroes failing and Gozer taking over the world.”

Chitwood commented on the main character Sarah and how she fits in to the overrun world.

“Sarah survived a traumatic and dangerous childhood, constantly on the run from all manner of horrors. But if she is to have any hope of saving the world, she must go against every instinct that has kept her alive so far.”

The CW Orders Pilot for iZombie

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The television adaptation of “iZombie” was first announced back in November, and now The CW has officially ordered a pilot episode according to a report from Variety.

“Veronica Mars” creator Rob Thomas and Diane Ruggiero will executive produce the series which sees a med student-turned-zombie working in a coroner’s office. In order to maintain her humanity she’ll be forced to dine on the brains of the deceased, but in doing so she will absorb their memories and use it to solve their murders, among other crimes.

Currently there is no word how far the television series will follow the source text. The novels tend to venture  into supernatural territories such as when the main character Gwen partners up with a ghost, a mummy, a were-dog, and a group of vampires.

The book series was created by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred.

The “Pre-Apocalyptic” Story, Sheltered, Heads to the Big Screen

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According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, Ed Brisson and Johnnie Christmas’ recently-released comic series, “Sheltered,” has been optioned for the big screen. The screenplay will be written by Jesse Peyronel, who is also set to direct.

“Sheltered” is officially described as follows:

A pre-apocalyptic tale of survival at any cost. The men and women of Safe Haven have been preparing for any-and-all end of world scenarios for years. However, their bunkers, weapons and training can’t save them from the one threat they never could have expected: Their own children.

Circle of Confusion, the production company behind AMC’s hit series “The Walking Dead,” are working to take the project to film. So if you weren’t convinced before, now you should feel reassured. Circle of Confusion is producing the adaptation, targeting a late 2014 production.

Considering the large amount of post-apocalyptic tales we have floating around, it will be nice to see the events that lead up to the end of the world.

Jesse Eisenberg and Jeremy Irons Cast in the Superman/Batman Film

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The upcoming Man of Steel sequel, tentatively referred to as Batman Vs. Superman, has officially cast the roles of Lex Luthor and Alfred with Jesse Eisenberg and Jeremy Irons respectively. The dual announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

Zach Snyder, the film’s director said,

“Lex Luthor is often considered the most notorious of Superman’s rivals, his unsavory reputation preceding him since 1940. What’s great about Lex is that he exists beyond the confines of the stereotypical nefarious villain. He’s a complicated and sophisticated character whose intellect, wealth and prominence position him as one of the few mortals able to challenge the incredible might of Superman. Having Jesse in the role allows us to explore that interesting dynamic, and also take the character in some new and unexpected directions.”

He also commented on the casting of Alfred saying,

“As everyone knows, Alfred is Bruce Wayne’s most trusted friend, ally and mentor, a noble guardian and father figure. He is an absolutely critical element in the intricate infrastructure that allows Bruce Wayne to transform himself into Batman. It is an honor to have such an amazingly seasoned and gifted actor as Jeremy taking on the important role of the man who mentors and guides the guarded and nearly impervious façade that encapsulates Bruce Wayne.”

Snyder’s film stars Henry Cavill, reprising his role as Superman/Clark Kent, Ben Affleck as Batman/Bruce Wayne, and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince. The film also reunites Man of Steel stars Amy Adams, Laurence Fishburne and Diane Lane.

Batman vs. Superman is set to open worldwide on May 6, 2016.

Y: The Last Man

“Y: The Last Man” Heading Toward Production Limbo?

Y: The Last Man

For a while it appeared that the big screen adaptation of “Y: The Last Man” was moving forward after Dan Trachtenberg was named director. However, author Brain K. Vaughan came out today and told Comic Book Resources that the film rights to the comic book could soon revert to himself and co-creator Pia Guerra if production on the feature doesn’t begin soon.

“It’s my understanding that the rights to ‘Y: The Last Man’ will revert back to co-creator Pia Guerra and me for the first time in a decade if the planned New Line adaptation doesn’t start shooting in the next few months,” Vaughan said. “So I expect there will be some ‘Y’ news in 2014 either way.”

“Y: The Last Man” has been eyed for a film adaptation since 2002, and almost since the comic series first appeared. Since then the film project has gone through many different hands with most recent iteration featuring a screenplay by Matthew Federman and Stephen Scaia.

The dystopian tale follows Yorick Brown, a young man who, along with his Capuchin monkey, Ampersand, somehow survives a catastrophic event that kills off every living creature with a Y chromosome. Left in a world of only women, Yorick teams with a government operative, 355, to try to uncover the truth about the plague and why he and he alone made it through alive.

Although set against an enormously scaled post-apocalyptic backdrop, the 60-issue series primarily serves as an exploration of modern gender politics and is, at its heart, an intimate coming-of-age drama.