Valiant Comics devotees haven’t heard any news concerning Paramount’s Harbinger adaptation since Wes Ball (The Maze Runner) signed on to direct the movie last year. And while many fans had given up on seeing the comic’s young superheroes headline their own big-screen adventure, the studio has just provided a major update on the project. Unfortunately, Ball is no longer helming the film. But according to Deadline, Paul Downs Colaizzo is currently in talks to fill his place in the director’s chair.
Colaizzo made his feature directorial debut with Brittany Runs a Marathon. The film received highly positive reviews when in hit theaters in 2019. Regardless, the fact that it’s a comedy makes Colaizzo an unusual choice to direct Harbinger, which follows superpowered teens on the run from an evil corporation. Still, Colaizzo has some action experience under his belt. As part of an overall deal with CBS, he executive produced the 2016 MacGyver reboot. He also co-wrote the series’ pilot episode.
RELATED: Wes Ball Will Direct Paramount’s Harbinger Movie
Sony previously held the rights to Harbinger and originally hoped to launch its own Valiant-inspired shared universe. These plans included Bloodshot, who got his own Vin Diesel-led movie in 2020. In 2019, however, Paramount secured the rights to Harbinger’s big-screen future. Director Justin Tipping was attached to the film as early as 2018 before Ball replaced him in February 2021. Apparently, Ball is stepping down to concentrate on Disney’s Planet of the Apes reboot, which is aiming to start shooting by the end of this year.
Aside from directing Harbinger, Colaizzo will also rewrite the film’s screenplay if he closes a deal with the studio. Last we heard, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings co-writer Andrew Lanham penned the most recent draft of the script. Neal Moritz and Toby Jaffe are producing Harbinger through Original Film alongside Valiant Entertainment’s Dan Mintz. Paramount still hasn’t announced a release date.
Do you think Colaizzo is a good choice to tackle Harbinger for Paramount? Let us know in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: Harbinger Deluxe Edition Volume 1
