Posted by Placenta Jones at spider-wd044.proxy.aol.com on December 14, 1999 at 18:25:36:
Got this off Ain't it Cool News. Too bad, I know the big guy is a big fan of the book.
PJ
- who apparently has more than one board name. Shit, if I had known, I woulda picked BrianLynch
: Matt Wagner today announced that production has begun on a film version of the first part of his epic comic book trilogy, MAGE at Spyglass Entertainment (The Sixth Sense). Producers Andrew Cosby and Ross Richie of Critical Mass Entertainment are also attached to the project and have been working with Wagner for years to bring a faithful interpretation of the popular comic series to the screen. "These guys and I really see eye to eye on how MAGE would translate to film," said Wagner. "I've always thought that for MAGE to really make it as a movie, the creative team would have to bring their own flavor to the table, while still retaining the essence of the source material's charm and style. A panel-by-panel rendition on celluloid is not what any of us sees."
The first element of that team has been found in screenwriter John Rogers (Jesse James), whose work immediately grabbed the attention of all parties involved. "Everybody on the production end loved his material and the minute I read his stuff, I knew we'd found our guy," Wagner continues. "John's really got the right combination of action, wit and heart that'll bring Kevin Matchstick to life on screen. Plus, he's a huge fan of the comic. Bingo."
Wagner confesses that writer/director Kevin Smith, who is also a huge fan of the comic and had often been associated with the project, eventually found his involvement to be the unfortunate victim of scheduling conflicts. "Spyglass is hot to go on this film and I'm very excited to be working with them. They wanted someone who could start writing immediately and, sad to say, Kevin's schedule wasn't open for several months. I'll certainly miss his input on things but I'm quite excited to be working with John Rogers as well. I feel very good about the way this is all coming together and the focus of the creative vision behind the film. The magic feels green."
This announcement comes on the tail of the conclusion to Wagner's second installment of the MAGE trioly, The Hero Defined. After several dela ys, the climactic chapter (#15) finally makes its way into stores this week, in time for Christmas.