Columbia Pictures Drops Comic Book Adaptation 'The Boys' (Exclusive)

Columbia is no longer part of The Boys club.

The studio was developing the adaptation of the violent and edgy comic book from writer Garth Ennis and artist Darick Robertson but has put the project into turnaround.

The book follows the adventures of a CIA squad, known informally as "the boys," whose job is to keep watch on the proliferation of superheroes and, if necessary, intimidate or eliminate them. Writing duo Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, as well as Seth Rogen, had worked on the screenplay since the project was first set up in 2009. 

Producers Neal H. Moritz of Original Film and Kickstart's Jason Netter will now shop the project around town.

In addition, sister label Screen Gems has untethered itself from Mortal Instruments, the adaptation of the Cassandra Clare YA fantasy series.

Scott Stewart had been attached to direct while Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower were attached to star in the story of a human woman helping human-angel hybrids fight evil forces.

Constantin Film, which controls the rights, may self-finance or seek a co-financier as it develops this on its own. Stewart, meanwhile, is no longer directing, focusing on a TV version of his Screen Gems flick, Legion.

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