Ed Brubaker adapting COWARD for David Slade to direct

Comic Book Movie David Slade about 13 years agoby

Award-winning comic book writer Ed Brubaker is teaming with Twilight: Eclipse's David Slade on his next project. Variety reports that Brubaker is adapting his crime noir graphic novel Coward into a film that Slade is directing for Jamie Patricof's Hunting Lane Films.

The Criminal series was published by Marvel Comics' Icon imprint from Brubaker and illustrator Sean Phillips won the Eisner for best new series in 2007. Coward is the first arc in a series of six interconnected stories, The story centers on "Leo, a master thief and heist planner who lives in a world of hustlers, crooked cops, pickpockets and lowlifes." There is already a sequel in the works and Hunting Lane has first option on the series.

Patricot/s Hunting Lane Films produced films such as Half Nelson and Blue Valentine. Here is what he had to say about the project:

"We are thrilled to be working with Ed Brubaker on Coward. This is such an iconic comic. With David Slade now attached, we have a clear vision for what the film will be."

"If Ryan Gosling hadn't already been in 'Drive,' he'd be perfect (for the role of Leo)," Brubaker told Variety. "It's a good role for any actor; about a guy who's afraid to do things because of what's inside of him. It's a heist story, partly -- it's a lot of different crime stories wrapped in one, but heist stories are always exciting if they're pulled off correctly."

Here is what Slade had to say about the project:

"'Coward' was just a great modern story," Slade said. "It harkens back to an era of crime stories where there's really a gritty reality to it, but there's a kind of underworld haze of noir. It's not like we have to reinvent the material, to figure it out, because it already works."

I enjoyed Slade's Hard Candy and his adaptation of 30 Days of Night. Up next, he will be directing a reboot of the Daredevil franchise. This sounds like a perfect fit for Slade. Brubaker optioned his Incognito graphic novel to Fox, and he is set to co-produce the project.What are your thoughts on this news?