THOR: RAGNAROK Co-Writer Craig Kyle Developing The Supernatural Manga GA-REI as a Live-Action Series
Thor: Ragnarok co-writer Craig Kyle has revealed that he's got a new project in the works. According to THR, he is developing a live-action series based on the popular supernatural action manga, Ga-Rei. He talked about it during Tokyo's Japan Content Showcase.
Ga-Rei was created by Hajime Segawa and the series will follow two young girls who are "destined to define the fate of the living and the dead." Kyle is currently developing a pilot episode and putting together a character bible for the series that could unfold over the course of several seasons.
When talking about why he was interested in developing the series, he said:
"What it has more than anything is wonderful, wonderful characters. That's the one component, above all else, that will guarantee a success if handled properly by those you entrust with those characters and the IP. Everyone who wants the next Game of Thrones, I will make the bold statement that Ga-Rei has that potential."
I'll be honest, I'm not familiar with the manga or the anime series adaptation that was made called Ga-Rei: Zero, but it sounds like it could make for a great live-action series. if it's done right. Here's a description of the story:
While many of us will probably scream at even the thought of a ghost being near us, freshman Nimura Kensuke just thinks of it as a common everyday thing, seeing as how he has the uncanny ability to see so many of them on a daily basis. Things soon heat up for him when he meets a girl who changes his life from then on. Her name is Kagura, and she has the power to summon a mighty "spirit devourer"—otherwise known as a "Ga-Rei"—called Byakuei. So, what's Nimura to do? Chase down the evil spirits and and have Kagura summon the Ga-Rei to devour them, of course! Now, come feast on their adventures like some ravenous Ga-Rei!
It sounds like Craig Kyle may be the right man for the job. When talking about why he moved on from Marvel, he said:
"I left Marvel with all my friends intact...I wanted to touch far more worlds than the ones I had been exposed to for 14 years. The best place to find those great stories is here.... [Japan has] a treasure trove of material that you can pull from."
He went on to say:
"The Japanese stories and characters that have appeared since before I was a kid have far exceeded those that we have done in the States. When it comes to gender, the diversity, on all levels fearless choices are made.... [The characters have] so many tremendous shades of emotional and sexual and personal gray. They're just bold. You own the vault.... You guys are the promised land."
He went on to say that everyone in Hollywood is out of ideas and that they are trying to tap into other movies and properties that they don't own. I personally think there are plenty of fresh and original idea out there, but Hollywood isn't too keen on taking chances on them, which is sad.
Regardless, I'm curious to see what comes of Kyle's live-action Ga-Rei project.