Spengler back in swing with comic-book lineup
Spengler returns
July 14, 2006
PARIS -- Pierre Spengler, one of the original producers of "Superman," is returning to comic-book adaptations with a 12-picture slate drawn from titles in the catalog of French graphic novel publisher Humanoides Associes.
The first to go into production will be the live-action film "I Am Legion," adapted from the World War II political intrigue penned by Fabien Nury and illustrated by top U.S. graphic artist John Cassaday.
Spengler's company, Clubdeal Ltd., will produce the slate, and he is in discussions with a U.S. distribution partner for a bulk deal on the 12-film package.
"That will be the basis for the U.S.-based hedge fund to get involved," Spengler said. He already has secured $20 million in private equity to fund the slate, which will provide a 20% equity investment in each project.
Spengler acquired Humanoides two years ago. He has since ceded control but retains audiovisual rights to the publisher's catalog of some 400 titles.
The London-based producer has formed CTF Agency (Comic to Film Agency) to represent and develop film rights on the titles, which include many internationally best-selling graphic novels from talent such as Moebius, Jacques Tardi, Xavier Dorison and Butch Guice.
"I think there's great potential there. We've picked 12 titles to develop first," Spengler said, ahead of a trip to next week's Comic Con in San Diego. English translations of Humanoides' major titles have been distributed in the U.S. through D.C. Comics since 2004, "I Am Legion" being the first to go this route.
Set in 1942, "Legion" tells of a diabolical attempt by the Nazis to develop a new weapon through controlling people's minds. Cassaday will follow in the footsteps of fellow graphic artists such as Frank Miller ("Sin City") and Enki Bilal ("Immortal") and make the transition to director for the movie adaptation. Nury has written the screenplay. Budgeted at about $15 million depending on cast, the film is due to shoot early next year in Croatia. Spengler will produce along with former Humanoides president Fabrice Giger.
Other titles in the initial film lineup include an adaptation of the "Meta-barons" series penned by Alexandro Jodorowsky; "The Horde," a future-set fantasy about a Russian dictator who models himself on Genghis Khan; Mexican wrestling story "Lucha Libre"; the vampire love story "Fragile"; and an animation adaptation of the series "The Zombie That Ate the World."
Spengler produced the first three "Superman" pictures alongside Alexander Salkind, who sold back film rights to Warner Bros. in 1993. Since then, he independently produced Emir Kusturica's "Underground," which won the Palme d'Or in Cannes in 1995. His more recent producer credits include Jet Li starrer "Unleashed" and Guy Ritchie's "Revolver" with Luc Besson's Europa Corp.
Spengler is in postproduction on the action thriller "Enemy of the Unseen" starring Steven Seagal, and is producing the third and fourth installments of the horror franchise "Pumpkinhead." He also is raising financing on "Kingshot," with Nick Nolte and Marilyn Manson attached to star.
The first to go into production will be the live-action film "I Am Legion," adapted from the World War II political intrigue penned by Fabien Nury and illustrated by top U.S. graphic artist John Cassaday.
Spengler's company, Clubdeal Ltd., will produce the slate, and he is in discussions with a U.S. distribution partner for a bulk deal on the 12-film package.
"That will be the basis for the U.S.-based hedge fund to get involved," Spengler said. He already has secured $20 million in private equity to fund the slate, which will provide a 20% equity investment in each project.
Spengler acquired Humanoides two years ago. He has since ceded control but retains audiovisual rights to the publisher's catalog of some 400 titles.
The London-based producer has formed CTF Agency (Comic to Film Agency) to represent and develop film rights on the titles, which include many internationally best-selling graphic novels from talent such as Moebius, Jacques Tardi, Xavier Dorison and Butch Guice.
"I think there's great potential there. We've picked 12 titles to develop first," Spengler said, ahead of a trip to next week's Comic Con in San Diego. English translations of Humanoides' major titles have been distributed in the U.S. through D.C. Comics since 2004, "I Am Legion" being the first to go this route.
Set in 1942, "Legion" tells of a diabolical attempt by the Nazis to develop a new weapon through controlling people's minds. Cassaday will follow in the footsteps of fellow graphic artists such as Frank Miller ("Sin City") and Enki Bilal ("Immortal") and make the transition to director for the movie adaptation. Nury has written the screenplay. Budgeted at about $15 million depending on cast, the film is due to shoot early next year in Croatia. Spengler will produce along with former Humanoides president Fabrice Giger.
Other titles in the initial film lineup include an adaptation of the "Meta-barons" series penned by Alexandro Jodorowsky; "The Horde," a future-set fantasy about a Russian dictator who models himself on Genghis Khan; Mexican wrestling story "Lucha Libre"; the vampire love story "Fragile"; and an animation adaptation of the series "The Zombie That Ate the World."
Spengler produced the first three "Superman" pictures alongside Alexander Salkind, who sold back film rights to Warner Bros. in 1993. Since then, he independently produced Emir Kusturica's "Underground," which won the Palme d'Or in Cannes in 1995. His more recent producer credits include Jet Li starrer "Unleashed" and Guy Ritchie's "Revolver" with Luc Besson's Europa Corp.
Spengler is in postproduction on the action thriller "Enemy of the Unseen" starring Steven Seagal, and is producing the third and fourth installments of the horror franchise "Pumpkinhead." He also is raising financing on "Kingshot," with Nick Nolte and Marilyn Manson attached to star.
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