Paramount Pictures has tapped SEVEN-helmer David Fincher to direct an adaptation of the graphic novel TORSO, which was written by Brian Michael Bendis and Marc Andreyko, reports the trades. THE RING scribe Ehren Kruger will write the adaptation, which will be produced by Pandemonium's Bill Mechanic, Angry Films' Don Murphy and comic artist Todd McFarlane.
TORSO tells the story of Treasury Department agent Eliot Ness when he was Clevelands public safety officer, which took place after he put away Al Capone. Ness was taunted by a serial killer, who left the torsos of his victims along riverbanks. With no police experience, Ness put together a team of ex-officers to apprehend the killer.
Bendis also drew the original late 90s graphic novel and has since gone on to become one of the top writers on comics such as DAREDEVIL and ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN. Several of his creator-owned titles are in development, including JINX at Universal with Charlize Theron attached.
The comic was first optioned by SPAWN creator McFarlane, who teamed with Murphy to get the project started. Murphy went to Mechanic, who brought in Fincher, who directed FIGHT CLUB for Mechanic when Mechanic was head of 20th Century Fox.
Alli Shearmur and Marc Evans are shepherding for the studio. Todd McFarlane Prods.' Terry Fitzgerald is producing.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
