Adding yet another official, in-depth companion to its catalogue, Titan Books has announced it acquired worldwide rights to a deluxe making-of book for the Lionsgate and Odd Lot Entertainment production of Will Eisner’s The Spirit, due to be released in 2009.
Will Eisner’s classic comic character is set to make the leap to the silver screen in a spectacular new live-action movie, written and directed by Frank Miller (Sin City, 300). Lionsgate and Odd Lot Entertainment are production partners on the film, produced by Deborah Del Prete and Gigi Pritzker of Odd Lot Entertainment and Michael Uslan of Batfilm Productions Inc. Batfilm co-founder Benjamin Melniker and Steven Maier are executive producers. Odd Lot’s Linda McDonough and Batfilm’s F.J. DeSanto serve as co-producers.
Lionsgate is distributing Will Eisner’s The Spirit in the US and UK.
Featuring interviews with the cast and crew, colour photos, storyboards and production art, plus the full screenplay, publication is slated for December 2008, ahead of the movie’s release on 16 January 2009.
Considered by many to be the “Citizen Kane of comic books”, presumed dead, young detective Denny Colt dons the blue mask and suit of The Spirit to fight crime in his hometown of Central City, using nothing but his wits and fists. With Miller at the helm, the movie promises a loyal but dark take on the well-loved character. “I intend to be extremely faithful to the heart and soul of the material, but it won’t be nostalgic,” he told Variety. “It will be much scarier than people expect.”
Gabriel Macht will take the title role of The Spirit, with Samuel L. Jackson as his arch-nemesis The Octopus, and Eva Mendes and Scarlett Johansson as alluring femmes fatales Sand Saref and Silken Floss.
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: Film
For the latest news from the world of Will Eisner and “The Spirit,” check out the Will Eisner: A Spirited Life blog!
Thanks,
Bob