Imagi Animation Studios, the Hong Kong- and Los Angeles-based group behind "TMNT," has acquired all rights to screenplay "Fluorescent Black."
Script, by sci-fi writer and maker of film shorts Matt Wilson, will first be adapted as a graphic novel to be illustrated by Nathan Fox with text by Wilson. Futuristic actioner is set in Singapore and the Malaysian peninsula.
Book is skedded for completion by mid-2008 and will be featured on the cover of the July edition of Heavy Metal magazine. Imagi has not detailed its plans for a movie adaptation of the property.
Company, which is listed on the Hong Kong stock market, is currently in production on two $40 million movies, "Gatchaman" and "Astroboy" -- both adaptations of superhero comics licensed from other publishers. "Black" marks the first time outfit has set its own material into development in the comicbook sphere.
"We believe this project has the potential to become a huge cult phenomenon," said Galen Walker, Imagi VP of development and producer of "TMNT."
Quelle: Variety.com