Johnny Depp-Produced 'Rex Mundi' Hires Writers (Exclusive)

Brian Klugman and Lee Sternthal, who worked on Tron Legacy, have been tapped to write Rex Mundi, Warner Bros.' adaptation of a comic book that is being produced by Johnny Depp and his Infinitum Nihil shingle.

The comic was set in an alternate Europe in which the Protestant Reformation was crushed by the Catholic Church, resulting in the continuing of a medieval power structure where magic is also real. The story is set in 1933 and centers on a pathologist who investigates the mysterious death of the priest who found him as an orphan, a trail that ultimately leads to a quest for the Holy Grail.

Created by Arvid Nelson and Eric Johnson, the comic was first published by Image then later by Dark Horse. Warners picked up the rights in 2006 with Jim Uhls writing the initial script.

Nihil's Christi Dembrowski is producing with Alan and Peter Riche. Dark Horse's Mike Richardson is also producing

Klugman, an actor whose credits include Frasier and Castle, writes with Sternthal. The pair worked on Tron Legacy, sharing story by credit with Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz.

The duo, repped by ICM Brillstein Entertainment Partners and Myman Greenspan, are writing and directing The Words, an indie that has Bradley Cooper and Jeremy Irons attached to star. That movie is due to start shooting in June.

Email: Borys.Kit@thr.com
Twitter: @HeatVisionBlog