Reliance Big Entertainment has acquired Rob Liefeld’s iconic graphic novel “Youngblood” for Brett Ratner to direct, reports Variety.
The company paid mid six figures for the rights to “Youngblood,” about a superhero team sanctioned and overseen by the U.S. government.
“Most of the great graphic novels are gone, and ‘Youngblood’ is one of the few comic books left with tentpole potential,” Ratner told the trade. “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 Rat Entertainment.
The 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 write the script.
Both projects are being fast-tracked, although no decision has been made on whether they will eventually land at Paramount.
Source: Variety
