Pat Mills’ Accident Man. Graphic novel cover by Howard Chaykin
Starring World Karate Champion Paul Lapsley the film – based on the strip first published in Toxic back in the 1990s – is a left field take on the Hit Man, the project a labour of love by both the writers of the original comic and the team behind shooting the movie.
The original centreed around the life of Mike Fallon, a high-class hitman noted for his love of high living and glamorous girlfriends, known for making his murders look like accidents, and often going to extravagant lengths to do so. Bit his “I don’t give a damn” attitude to his hits changes the day his ex wife (a would-be Greenpeace activist) is murdered. Fallon goes on a murderous rampage to find out who paid the contract on his girlfriend and who actually made the hit.
The company trying to make the movie have already shot various taster scenes to get the feel of Mike Fallon, which are viewable on www.accidentman.com.
“Now we have the final script,” says James Lundy. “It’s time to shoot the film properly.
“We can do this very cheaply,” he continues, but “we need the money to rent some high end kit we don’t have. The film is going to be made by Inappropriate Films who are a breakaway team from Art Attack Films, a commercial film and video company. The crew (nearly all women) are pro but putting in the time for a beloved project.”
There’s a sense of urgency to raising the £20,000 goal, given renewed interest in Accident Man with Titan Comics announcement that they will be publishing a collection next year.
Inappropriate Films want to capitalize on that release by having the film ready, conscious that as well as previous publication in Toxic in 1991 (the creator-led comic that should not be confused with Egmont’s current title) and by Dark Horse Comic, the character has been optioned as a possible film project many times, by Universal Pictures and others.
Accident Man #2 from Dark Horse Comics. Cover by Howard Chaykin
“Various producers have picked up the torch and he nearly got to the big screen so often,” says James. “There are currently two significant players showing an interest [but] we (Pat, Tony, Inappropriate) want to do Accident Man justice and bring out the film that should be made.
“The best way to do that is to have the film ready as Titan brings out the collected work. We can do this – we just need [fans] help.”
• Kickstarter Page: www.kickstarter.com/projects/80494716/accident-man-the-movie
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: British Comics, British Comics - Graphic Novels, Crowd Funding Projects, Film
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