By Patrick Luce Aug 19, 2008, 12:30 GMT
F. Gary Gray has signed to direct the big screen adaptation of “Julius” – which Mandalay Pictures picked up the rights to from Oni Press.
Cover art to Oni Press' ‘Julius’
Variety reports the story is an urban crime adaptation of William Shakespeare’s "Julius Caesar" and was written by Antony Johnston and illustrated by Brett Weldele.
Eric Gitter is set to produce the film for Closed on Mondays Entertainment (the producing company for Oni Press) with Oni’s Peter Schwerin and Joe Nozemack handling executive producing duties. Schulman, David Zelon and Jonathan Krauss are set to oversee the film for Mandalay.
In Variety, Mandalay prexy Cathy Schulman stated Gray "has a vision for this adaptation that will satirize obsessive consumerism while providing a thrilling ride for audiences."
Oni has been moving several titles toward the big screen with them in various stages of production. Other Oni titles include "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" in pre-production at Universal with Edgar Wright directing and Michael Cera starring; "Resurrection" at Universal; "Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things" and "The Damned" in the works at DreamWorks; and "Maintenance" and "Billy Smoke" in the works at Warner Bros.
Mandalay is also working with Universal on the remake of "The Birds" with director Martin Campbell and star Naomi Watts.
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