Deadline reports that the studio created by former Warner Bros. executives, Studio 8, has optioned one of Black Mask Studios' most recent properties for a film adaptation.
Simply titled Black, the 6-issue series created by Kwanza Osajyefo, Tim Smith and Jamal Igle tells the story of Kareem Jenkins. After surviving being shot by Brooklyn police, Jenkins discovers his hidden superpowers, and he soon learns of the many other black Americans with similar gifts and the conspiracy to contain their powers.
Of the deal, Deadline writes:
"Studio 8 EVP Creative Jon Silk brought the project into the fold and will oversee its development with executive Rishi Rajani. Representing Black Mask as well as the Black creators, the deal was with Studio 8 negotiated by Matthew Sugarman at the L.A. office of Weintraub Tobin."
Osajyefo, a former digital editor of both Marvel and DC, and Smith will co-produce the film themselves, with Matteo Pizzolo from Black Mask also serving as a producer.
If the film is made, it will mark the first adaptation of a property from Black Mask, which began publishing comics in 2013 and was founded by Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) and Brett Gurewitz, guitarist of punk rock band Bad Religion.
As always, we'll have much more on this as it develops.