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A lot of newish comics companies have launched of late—Double Take, Aftershock, Z2—and I’m guessing they would all like to have films made from their comics. Well, Double Take, the branch of gaming company Take Two that is run by former Marvel to exec Bill James, has hit that brass ring. Lions gate has signed on to develop a movie based on Z-Men, one of the recently launched zombie-centric titles from Double Take. The comic is written by Jeff McComsey with art by Kurt Tiede, Alisson Rodrigues and Max Flan and like the other 2T titles, its based on Night of the Living Dead, which is now in the public domain. The storyline involves two Secret Service agents, Stuart and Clancy, who get swept up in the zombie invasion. Brains and violence ensue!

In statements, various execs at Lionsgate and Double Take expressed how pleased they were.

“We’re delighted to expand our relationship with our friends at Take-Two by partnering with their comic book arm, Double Take, in bringing Z-Men to the big screen,” said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairs Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger. “We continue to diversify our portfolio with films adapted from novels, video games and board games and look forward to translating 2T’s graphic novel into a spine-chilling film for moviegoers and comic book fans alike. It is yet another example of the strong underlying intellectual property on which our film and television content is based.” 

“We are pleased to expand our partnership with Lionsgate, who has the right team to bring to life on screen what Double Take brings to life in comics,” said Double Take General Manager Bill Jemas. “We look forward to seeing Lionsgate’s creativity transform the Z-Men story into an exciting feature film, and everyone on the Double Take team is incredibly enthused at this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group President of Business & Legal Affairs Patricia Laucella is credited with having brokered the deal.

Lions gate previously optioned Take Two’s video game Borderlands, as you may recall. 


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