#SDCC18: Graphic Novel UNDER’s Sewer Creatures Heading to the Big Screen
Of course, you always expect big comics news to come out of the San Diego Comic-Con, and this year is no exception. Of special interest to horror fans is word that graphic novel Under, about mutated creatures lurking in the sewers under a major US metropolis, is heading to the big screen with a trifecta of talent behind it! Franco-Belgian comics powerhouse Media Participations Group, Titan Comics, and UK producer Born Wild are teaming up to bring the project to life.
Under was created by prolific French writer Christophe Bec and his regular illustrator and collaborator Stefano Rafael. It is published by Le Lombard, which sits within Media Participations Group’s stable of comic book publishers alongside the likes of Dargaud, and is represented by Mediatoon.
The plan is to shoot the film in late 2019. Nick Landau, Owner of Titan Entertainment Group said, “Under is highly relevant to the world we live in, and it’s really going to surprise people.”
Anthony Alleyne, whose Sunburn recently played at the London Screenings, will adapt the action/sci-fi project with up-and-coming writer Brennig Hayden. Alleyne will also produce the movie through Born Wild. Laurent Duvault of Mediatoon, Kristian van der Heyden of Harald House, and Annemiek van der Hell of Windmill Film are all confirmed co-producers. Raymond Van der Kaaij of Revolver is also on board as executive producer. The budget is Euro8 million.
“It’s exciting to collaborate with tireless and tenacious creatives like Alleyne,” Bec and Raffaele said. “Under is a story which is close to our hearts, and it was his and Brennig’s strong vision of blending the spirit of our original work with contemporary social elements that won us over. Many of our works together have been influenced by movies and the cinema, and to see Under adapted on the big screen would show true appreciation.”
“Anthony is clear about what he wants to do with the property, which is to establish a powerful franchise we are proud to be part of,” Duvault added.
The comics launched in France in 2010, with English-language versions following late last year.
Synopsis:
Set in the near future in the city’s vast sewer complex, which has become a war zone complete with mutant spiders and crocodiles, disgraced former detective Jericho leads the subterranean police force attempting to preserve a semblance of order. Sandra Yeatman, a young female scientist, embeds herself with Jericho’s team, to his disdain; and they battle to stop the underwater carnage spreading above ground.
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