Alcon Adapting Undead YA Saga ROT & RUIN

Rot & Ruin

Everybody loves a good zombie movie, right? And with that in mind, now comes word that the Rot & Ruin series is heading to the big screen.

First reported by Deadline, Alcon Entertainment has nabbed the film and TV rights for Jonathan Maberry’s Rot & Ruin collection of books. To be specific, Alcon has picked up the rights for all five offerings in the Rot & Ruin saga; meaning there’s a whole lot of undead goodness to pull from.

The official blurb on the Rot & Ruin franchise reads:

In a post-apocalyptic world where fences and border patrols guard the few people left from the zombies that have overtaken civilization, fifteen-year-old Benny Imura is finally convinced that he must follow in his older brother’s footsteps and become a bounty hunter.

Expect more on all of this as we get it.

Kyle Higgins Handling HADRIAN’S WALL Movie

Hadrian's Wall

Much like it’s a running joke that barely a week goes by that we don’t get word on a new Stephen King adaptation, it’s similarly a running joke that we don’t get a week without news of another new comic book adaptation on the way. And with that in mind, Hadrian’s Wall is heading to the silver screen.

As first reported by Deadline, Kyle Higgins’ Hadrian’s Wall has been picked up for the movie treatment courtesy of Gunpowder & Sky’s DUST banner. Even better, Higgins himself is to write and direct the picture.

For those unfamiliar with Image Comics’ Hadrian’s Wall, the official synopsis on the comic book title reads:

When an astronaut on Hadrian’s Wall is murdered, pill-popping detective Simon Moore is dispatched to investigate the ship’s crew… including his own ex-wife. But if Simon’s not careful, what he finds could make the interstellar Cold War go red hot. From the creative team behind the critically-acclaimed series C.O.W.L. comes a gripping, locked room murder mystery where the secrets of everyone involved are as dark as the space that surrounds them.

Expect more on the Hadrian’s Wall movie as it continues to develop.

THE MENU Serves Up Emma Stone and Ralph Fiennes

The Menu Emma Stone Ralph Fiennes

With Alexander Payne currently developing horror-comedy The Menu, now comes word on the first casting additions for the picture.

Via Deadline, Oscar winner Payne has brought in Emma Stone and Ralph Fiennes to star in the The Menu. In the film, Stone will be playing one half of a young couple visiting an exquisite restaurant, while Fiennes is the chef of said eatery.

The early word on The Menu has the action centred on a couple who visit an extremely exclusive world class restaurant located on a remote island. Waiting for them is a lavish and stunning menu prepared by one of the best chefs in the world, although there’s also something a little more sinister similarly waiting in the wings.

Expect more on The Menu as it continues to develop.

Drew Goddard Developing a SABRINA Movie

Sabrina

Not be confused with a certain Teenage Witch, Drew Goddard is set to adapt Drawn and Quarterly’s Sabrina graphic novel.

Via Collider, the director of The Cabin in the Woods will be writing the big-screen take on Nick Drnaso’s much-acclaimed 2018 piece for New Regency and RT Features.

The official word on Sabrina reads:

In Sabrina, when his girlfriend goes missing, a grieving man goes to live with his old friend – an Air Force surveillance expert agent who is dealing with a failed marriage. After a grisly videotape is anonymously sent to news outlets, Sabrina’s disappearance goes viral. As the 24-hour news cycle and social media take hold of the story, the two men are targeted by vitriolic conspiracy theorists that threaten their sense of the truth and their faith in each other.

Goddard will also be serving as producer on the Sabrina movie, with him also potentially directing.

Julianne Moore to Headline Adaptation of Stephen King’s LISEY’S STORY

Julianne Moore

By this point, it almost feels like a running joke to say that there’s barely a week goes by without hearing about a new adaptation of the works of Stephen King, but it’s kinda true. And with that said – and with a new take on King’s Pet Sematary now in cinemas – we have word on another King adaptation on the way.

Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter, a small-screen adaptation of Lisey’s Story is being adapted by Apple. Given a straight-to-series order, Oscar winner Julianne Moore will headline the show.

For those unfamiliar with Lisey’s Story, the official word on the 2006 source material reads:

Lisey’s Story is the story of Lisey Landon, who is the widow of a famous and wildly successful novelist, Scott Landon. The book tells two stories – Lisey’s story in the present, and the story of her dead husband’s life, as remembered by Lisey during the course of the novel.

King himself has previously referred to Lisey’s Story as the favourite of his books and a tale that he’d love to adapt as a TV series. Now, the iconic author is getting his wish in a show that that will be produced by J.J. Abrams and his Bad Robot banner.

Expect more on Lisey’s Story as it continues to develop.

Screenwriter Signs on For SHAZAM! Sequel

Shazam!

Hot on the heels of its $53 million opening weekend and hugely positive fan and critical response, plans are already being made for a Shazam! sequel.

Via The Wrap, Shazam! screenwriter Henry Gayden has already been signed up to begin putting together the screenplay for a follow-up picture. The outlet also added that producer Peter Safran and director David F. Sandberg are both expected to return, too.

For those who have already checked out Shazam! (all kinds of fun, right?), you’ll be aware that the foundations have already been laid for a sequel effort. In addition to that, Dwayne Johnson has recently revealed that he’s hoping to start production next year on his long-gestating – as in, has been in development for a decade by this point – solo movie for Shazam’s greatest rival, Black Adam.

As ever, expect more on Shazam! 2 as we get it. In terms of the shared DC Extended Universe in which Shazam! exists, up next for that realm is Cathy Yan’s Birds of Prey in February 2020.

New WALKING DEAD Series to Premiere in 2020

The Walking Dead

Earlier this year, we heard how several new Walking Dead-driven shows were on the way. And now, we have word on when we can expect to see the first of these new offerings.

Courtesy of AMC, it’s been confirmed that the first of these new spin-off efforts will debut on the network next year. Currently without a title, AMC has similarly revealed that the series will focus on two young female protagonists and largely centre on the first generation to grow up during the undead apocalypse.

This, of course, will be the third show to exist within the realms of The Walking Dead; joining the main show and Fear the Walking Dead. Scott Gimple – who transitioned from Walking Dead showrunner to Chief Content Officer for all things Walking Dead after the main series’ eighth season – is developing the ten-episode spin-off with fellow Walking Dead alumnus, Matt Negrette.

As ever, expect more on this new show and the universe of The Walking Dead as things continue to develop.

Brave New Words Award Nominees Announced

nominees

STARBURST Magazine is happy to announce the shortlist for its Brave New Words Award.   The winner will be announced at Edge Lit 2019.

The nominees are:

Aliya Whiteley – The Loosening Skin (Unsung Stories)

Tasha Suri – Empire of Sand (Orbit / Little Brown)

Rachel Armstrong – Origamy  (NewCon Press )

Claire North – 84K (Orbit / Little Brown)

Micah Yongo- Lost Gods  (Angry Robot)

Tade Thompson – Rosewater (Orbit / Little Brown)

STARBURST invited nominations from publishers and creators late 2018.  The award goes to an individual, not a specific work. The magazine’s team actively sought out examples published in 2018 that most define a creator’s output. STARBURST editorial staff assembled the shortlist from over 100 entries, which included blog posts, comic books, short stories, screenplays, poetry, anthologies and novels.

This year’s panel of judges are:  Urban Fantasy author Russell Smith, award-winning games designer Mikey Smith, communications expert Rebecca Derrick and Hugo Award Nominated MVP Alasdair Stuart.

STARBURST Magazine’s own Literary Editor, Ed Fortune, is the head judge.  He said “This has been a very, very interesting year for genre with some truly amazing writing across the board. I know it was very difficult task to get down to six works. It’s a very exciting list this year, with some very strong voices.”

The ceremony will be held as part of Edge-Lit 8 genre literature event in Derby. Edge-Lit 8 runs on Saturday 13th July at QUAD and gathers together a host of horror, crime, fantasy and science-fiction writing talent for a packed day of panels, readings, interviews, workshops and much more. Guest of Honour for this year are Anne Charnock, Aliette De Bodard Christopher Golden, Tim Lebbon, Sarah Lotz and Neil Spring, plus Special Guest Stephen Volk. For more information, or to book, visit https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/whats-on/events/edge-lit-8

Event co-ordinator Alex Davis said: ‘I’m delighted to have the Brave New Words Awards Ceremony at this year’s Edge-Lit event. I think it’s a perfect fit for our event, which has always sought to involve fantastic new names in genre fiction as well as more established authors, and I can’t wait for this latest exciting addition to what is already looking like a great event.’

Dave Bautista to Headline Zack Snyder’s ARMY OF THE DEAD

Dave Bautista

With Zack Snyder working on Army of the Dead for Netflix, now comes word that Dave Bautista is set to headline the picture.

Via Bloody Disgusting, Bautista – best known to genre fans as the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Drax the Destroyer – will take centre-stage in the big-budget zombie offering.

With filming to start later this year, the early word on Army of the Dead reads:

The adventure is set amid a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, during with a man assembles a group of mercenaries to take the ultimate gamble, venturing into the quarantined zone to pull off the greatest heist ever attempted.

Expect more on Army of the Dead as it continues to develop. First and foremost for Big Dave, of course, is a battle against Triple H at tomorrow’s WrestleMania 35; a match that’s expected to be Bautista’s last ever wrestling bout.

Kumail Nanjiani Lined Up for Marvel’s THE ETERNALS

Kumail Nanjiani

Hot on the heels of Angelina Jolie reportedly being lined up to headline the effort, now comes word on another possible addition for Marvel Studios’ The Eternals.

Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter, Silicon Valley’s Kumail Nanjiani is said to be in talks for an undisclosed role in the upcoming offering.

At this stage, details are still sketchy on The Eternals, with – much like so many impending MCU movies – more concrete information expected to be revealed once the landscape-altering Avengers: Endgame hits the big screen later this month.

Created by the iconic Jack Kirby back in 1976, the Eternals comic book title was based around a race of age-old humans created by the alien Celestials with the plan being for these humans to serve as Earth’s protectors against the nefarious Deviants. The big-screen Eternals will reportedly be based around the Sersi character who is an energy-manipulating being who is pretty much immortal.

With Chloe Zhao on directing duties, expect more on The Eternals as it continues to develop.