Sci-Fi Film and Television Developments

Magdalena
7/22/09 - Producer Gale Anne Hurd has teamed up with Platinum Studios to bring Top Cow's comic book The Magdalena to the screen, Variety reports.  The Magdalena, published by Top Cow comics, concerns a descendant of Jesus and Mary Magdalene who is the foot soldier of a secret order of cardinals fighting evil agencies such as vampires. She has the ability to see into people's hearts and give them the chance to redeem themselves, and she wields the Spear of Destiny that pierced Jesus' side as a specially empowered weapon against the forces of darkness.  Ryuhei Kitamura has been signed to direct. The script is by writer Holly Brix.

12/5/08 – SCI FI Wire reported that Gale Ann Hurd, who is producing the film version of Top Cow's comic book The Magdalena, said the film aims to blend two popular mythologies: "It's Da Vinci Code meets Wanted," Hurd said.  The Magdalena centers on the direct descendants of the biblical Mary Magdalene, a royal bloodline that passes great power and great honor from mother to daughter. The Magdelena serves as the warrior and protector of the Catholic Church.  Jenna DeWan is set to play the latest Magdalena, who must learn how to use her powers.  "The character doesn't have superpowers," Hurd said. "So I think it will be intense, but it will more than likely be a PG-13 as opposed to an R just because of the world of the character and the world of the comic book."  Development is still underway, and Hurd expects to have The Magdelena in production next year.

11/6/08 – SCI FI Wire reported that Luke Goss is preparing to star in the film of the Top Cow graphic novel Magdalena. Jenna Dewan is attached to play the latest direct descendant of Mary Magdalene, with Goss playing Kristof, the knight who trains her in her newfound powers.  "The first female born of the direct descendents of Mary Magdalene, each one replaces the Magdalena when she dies, and they have the ability to fight," Goss said. "When they become the Magdalena, they don't know their powers. They have to be guided. I basically have to guide her and show what her responsibilities are and what's ahead of her. Basically we have to fight evil. There's some good chemistry there, and they've said it's going to be very much character-driven. I've not read the script yet, because it's being written right now."  Magdalena is in preproduction with Gale Anne Hurd's Valhalla Motion Pictures, Platinum Studios and Top Cow Productions.

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