Mon Dec 22, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger

Arcana Makes Deal for 5 Film Adaptations

Co-Productions in Canada Begins in 2009

Arcana Studios has optioned five of their titles to Legacy Filmworks in a co-production deal that also involves production-finance group Bron Management according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Paradox, starring Kevin Sorbo (Hercules) will be the first of the quintet to reach the cameras. Brenton Spencer (Stargate: Atlantis) will direct the story of a “homicide cop on a parallel Earth ruled by magic who investigates a series of murders committed by a previously unseen means: the power of science” The script adaptation has been handled by the 2005 miniseries writer Christos Gage and his wife, Ruth Fletcher Gage (The Breed).

Deboragh Gabler will producing the five films on behalf of the Canadian based production company, working alongside Bron’s Aaron Gilbert, with Arcana founder-publisher Sean O'Reilly receiving executive producer credentials.

Chopper, produced for Arcana through Martin Shapiro’s Night Owl Studios, was originally developed for Platinum Studios before moving to Arcana.  Written by Shapiro, it will be illustrated by Martin Montiel and Rodney Ramos with a cover from Tony Mauro. The first issue was previewed at Comic-Con International in July but has not been scheduled or solicited by Arcana nor does it appear on their website.  Night Owl’s site describes the premise as:

“Combining the chills of supernatural horror with the excitement of action movie gun battles and car chases, the first issue of Chopper reveals the origin of the chopper-riding Angel of Death and how he became a headless ghost. Jeremiah Payne, an ex-outlaw biker turned fanatical soldier of God hunts down and exterminates evil sinners. He meets his match when he runs into a headstrong cop determined to bring him down.”

The third property is  Sundown, which was a three-issue miniseries from writer Jay Busbee and artist Jason Ossman.

Arcana’s website offer this synopsis:

“Arizona territory, 1880. Someone’s killing preachers, and New York City reporter Will Dalton heads west to cover the story. Will and his brother Clay, a small-town sheriff, begin digging for the truth behind the murders. But they soon find themselves on the front lines of a horrific war for the very soul of America! Sundown is a terrifying three-issue tale of the Old West where sometimes, dying just means you’re switching sides.”

Arcana was founded in 2004 and has comics, webcomics and custom comics produced ever since.  They made a splash this fall as  the home for the comic book in carnation of The Greatest American Hero, which was released last week. They also produced Red Lotus, animated webisodes for Spike TV.
 

Jump to comments (1)