Sci-Fi Film and Television Developments

Death Note

1/13/11 - Deadline reported that Shane Black has been hired by Warner Bros. to direct the studio's adaptation of Death Note, based on the manga series created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and illustrator Takeshi Obata.  Death Note tells the story of Light, a young student who discovers a mystical notebook that can kill any person whose name he writes inside of it. Upon this discovery, Light becomes a vigilante in pursuit of the deadliest criminals he can find, a decision that puts notorious profiler L on his trail. Two live-action Japanese film adaptations of "Death Note" already exist, as well as a third live-action film that spins out of the original story.  “It’s my favorite manga, I was just struck by its unique and brilliant sensibility,” Black said. “What we want to do is take it back to that manga, and make it closer to what is so complex and truthful about the spirituality of the story, versus taking the concept and trying to copy it as an American thriller. Jeff Robinov and Greg Silverman liked that.”

5/1/09 - Warner Brothers has acquired rights to turn the Japanese manga series Death Note into a live-action film, Variety reported.  The studio has hired screenwriters Charley and Vlas Parlapanides to adapt.  The story centers on a college student who accidentally finds a misplaced "death note," infusing him with the power to kill merely by writing anyone's name on the page while picturing the person in his mind.  The 13-volume manga is a best-seller in Japan, and the film will be drawn from the first three installments, written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata for Shueisha Inc.

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