Brett Ratner to Tackle "Youngblood"

[J_UNTITLED]

From Variety...

The fallout between DreamWorks and Universal isn’t stopping Reliance Big Entertainment from flexing its dealmaking muscle.

The Indian media conglom has acquired Rob Liefeld’s iconic graphic novel “Youngblood” for Brett Ratner to direct.

Reliance inked a development deal with Ratner’s shingle Rat Entertainment, as well as Julia Roberts’ Red Om Films, during the Berlin film fest.

The company paid mid six figures for the rights to “Youngblood,” about a superhero team sanctioned and overseen by the U.S. government.

Project is the first to emanate from the Indian media conglom’s nine development pacts with Hollywood talent.

“Most of the great graphic novels are gone, and ‘Youngblood’ is one of the few comicbooks left with tentpole potential,” Ratner told Daily Variety. “It was a real personal passion project for me, and a lot of people wanted (‘Youngblood’), but the amazing thing about the guys at Reliance is the speed with which they’re able to move.”

Reliance has also acquired the rights to French graphic novel “Fly Wires” for Ratner’s shingle.

Project, which will be renamed “Infinity,” will be produced by Ratner, who has already tapped Sylvain White (“Stomp the Yard”) to direct and John Collee (“Master and Commander”) to pen the script.

Both projects are being fast-tracked, although no decision has been made on whether they will eventually land at Paramount.

Ratner inked an overall deal with Par last July after a longstanding setup at New Line. His Reliance deal does not impact its terms but rather lends him financial clout to acquire and develop projects he can then offer to the studio.

At Cannes last year Reliance execs announced development pacts with Nicolas Cage’s Saturn Prods., Jim Carrey’s JC 23 Entertainment, George Clooney’s Smokehouse Prods., Chris Columbus’ 1492 Pictures, Tom Hanks’ Playtone Prods., Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment and Jay Roach’s Everyman Pictures.

“The great thing with Reliance is they also have the ability to partner up or co-finance the film with a studio,” added Ratner. “It really offers freedom for the talent they’re working with.”

[P@t_Mtl]

I tought this was for a remake of the movie with Rob Lowe & Patrick Swayze

[scweb13]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I tought this was for a remake of the movie with Rob Lowe & Patrick Swayze

Me too. Then I realized it was the comic book series when they mentioned Rob Liefeld.

[browinie]

Never heard or read the comics, anyone know if their any good?

[Blu As Hell]

Originally Posted by browinie

Never heard or read the comics, anyone know if their any good?

Good?...not really.

[borninusa]

I have a number of the comics...I tried to get into them..but couldnt. I thought Rob LIefeld was over rated as an artist.

[tacoreed]

I bought the original 10 comics or so when they fisrtt came out back in the early 90s. A bunch of writers/artists left Marvel Comics and started their own label called Image. I bought a lot of the original titles, one of them being Youngblood, but there were only a couple that were worth a damn (Spawn being one of them).

I couldn't really get into that series that much even though I liked Rob Liefeld (New Mutants and Cable were great).

I probably would watch a movie about them, but since Brett Ratner is directing, there is no chance in hell that this movie will be successful.

[Clark Kent]

That is the first time in the history of the world that anything associated with the Youngblood comic book was called "iconic". The source material simply is not that compelling here and frankly was briefly popular...in the 90's. There are about a million other comic characters I would pick to adapt before Youngblood.

[Sussudio]

great...another comic series he can destroy

[Moefiz]

The only thing good about YoungBlood was Rob Lidfeld art.The story and the characters wasn't that great to begin with.I can't understand why they would pick this for the big screen when they are so many other comic books character out there.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by tacoreed

I bought the original 10 comics or so when they fisrtt came out back in the early 90s. A bunch of writers/artists left Marvel Comics and started their own label called Image. I bought a lot of the original titles, one of them being Youngblood, but there were only a couple that were worth a damn (Spawn being one of them/

Basically, like Mike Mignola with "Hellboy" (only not perhaps as good), ex-Marvel artists and writers who left Marvel, and migrated to small third-party indie publishers to....write Marvel comics.

[rebfandan]

Further proof that within 10 years there will probably very few comic series for which the idea of a film adaptation will not reach at least the screenplay phase. The big question is whether or not there is even an audience for this? I remember it because I was about 12 when Youngblood came out, but the concensus (and I agree) seems to be it was not very good. I have given up all hope in creativity in Hollywood. Is it still in the "talks" phase? Because I really can't imagine this being green-lit.

[EricJ]

Originally Posted by rebfandan

Further proof that within 10 years there will probably very few comic series for which the idea of a film adaptation will not reach at least the screenplay phase. The big question is whether or not there is even an audience for this? I remember it because I was about 12 when Youngblood came out, but the concensus (and I agree) seems to be it was not very good. I have given up all hope in creativity in Hollywood. Is it still in the "talks" phase? Because I really can't imagine this being green-lit.

Seeing as it's Brett Ratner, I assume he wants to do another Marvel epic, but couldn't get the gig now that Marvel is making its own epics.

Which means, with Warner/DC and Marvel Productions now keeping their own corporate lock on film projects, other folks who want to break in will bring us back to the Dark Horse "Indie-House Heroes You've Never Heard Of" days of the Crow, the Mask, Dr. Giggles, and Mystery Men.

[GreenScar]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Seeing as it's Brett Ratner, I assume he wants to do another Marvel epic, but couldn't get the gig now that Marvel is making its own epics.

Which means, with Warner/DC and Marvel Productions now keeping their own corporate lock on film projects, other folks who want to break in will bring us back to the Dark Horse "Indie-House Heroes You've Never Heard Of" days of the Crow, the Mask, Dr. Giggles, and Mystery Men.

There are at least 5 or 6 of these types of movies in development/production currently. The only one that looks remotely interesting (to me anyway) is Kick Ass.

Letting Brett Ratner touch anyone's project is a mistake IMO

[statikcat]

They don't need a Youngblood movie.. just a Chapel movie

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by P@t_Mtl

I tought this was for a remake of the movie with Rob Lowe & Patrick Swayze

Originally Posted by scweb13

Me too. Then I realized it was the comic book series when they mentioned Rob Liefeld.

Love the hockey movie...own it on DVD.

[fighthefutureofhd]

Originally Posted by Sussudio

great...another comic series he can destroy

he can't destroy it. it's a rob liefield comic. actually the pairing is perfect for once. they picked the right director for this movie. though maybe michael bay might've been a little better.