June
17 Summit's 'Red' deal first DC-related project to leave WB

Warren Ellis reports that the film rights to "Red," a graphic novella he and artist Cully Hamner did a few years back for for DC/Wildstorm have been sold to Summit Entertainment. Brothers Erich and Jon Hoeber, who also scripted the upcoming adaptation of Greg Rucka's "Whiteout," have been tapped to write the script. Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mark Vahradian are producing

Interestingly, this has been reported as the first time a DC-affiliated project has left Warner Bros., though DC's VP of creative affairs Gregory Noveck will be an exec producer on the film. It apparently took two years to extricate "Red" from WB, which should surprise no one who attended the panel I moderated at Book Expo America a few weeks back, where one of the panelists (I honestly can't remember who — I was in panicked moderator mode and not taking notes the way I would if I were covering it) explained that WB has to actively pass on a DC project before it can go out to another studio. In a town where the easiest way to get fired is to have passed on a project that becomes a big hit for someone else, don't expect this to happen again any time soon.

Universal, meanwhile, has picked up the rights to Vasilis Lolos' graphic novel "Last Call" from Oni. Barry Josephson will produce.

On the "Justice League" movie front, Variety's Michael Fleming examines the changing nature of deals in Hollywood and mentions the studio is likely to revisit a gross deal made with director George Miller on the project, whose status has been indeterminate for a while now.

Robert Downey Jr. may venture further into the comic book fold, as he's in talks to star in DreamWorks/Universal's "Cowboys & Aliens," based on the Platinum Studios graphic novel of the same name.

Sam Raimi tells Sci Fi Wire that he's waiting to see a script for "Spider-Man 4" before deciding whether he'll return to direct another installment in the series.

Bloody Disgusting reports that "Battlestar Galactica" helmer Michael Rymer has signed on to direct the live-action "Witchblade" feature.