Comic book writer Garth Ennis has had a pretty good couple of years. With adaptations of The Boys over on Prime Video and AMC’s Preacher, he now feels like he’s got enough clout to be more hands on with what comics of his get the TV or movie treatment, and he’s testing the waters with a film based on his and Jacen Burrows’ horror comic Crossed.
Per the Hollywood Reporter, Ennis penned the script for the hopeful film, and indie studio Six Studios will finance and produce the endeavor. A search is currently underway for a director, projected to be paid in the range of $2 million-$3 million. They apparently want this out the door ASAP, because if things go to plan, the movie will go into production sometime this fall. According to producer Carl Choi, Ennis’ script is “the most faithful adaptation possible.” For folks who need a comparison, Choi described it as “Contagion meets The Walking Dead” with a splash of Civil War.
Crossed first released in 2008, and centered on the survivors of a pandemic that caused people to act out their innermost violent thoughts. The carriers keep their basic human intelligence and become known as “Crossed” thanks to the rash that appears on their faces, and they spread the infection by coating weapons with their fluids. After the original comic wrapped in 2010, it was continued by rotating creators, including Alan Moore, David Lapham, and Si Spurrier.
The Crossed film will be based on Ennis and Burrows’ original 10-issue tale, and it’s unknown if there’s any plans to make it into a larger franchise, as we’re currently seeing with The Boys. His work appears to work quite well on TV, but the silver screen is another matter entirely. We’ll find out more on Crossed as it potentially lands a director and goes into production.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
