YOUNGBLOOD Live-Action Movie Apparently Moving Forward According To Rob Liefeld
Creator Rob Liefeld has revealed that development of a live-action Youngblood movie is moving forward, once again.
The last bit of news to emerge on the project had Bret Ratner still attached to produce the film and Liefeld reportedly directing the adaptation of his comic. No word on whether this remains the same.
Youngblood is a superhero team that starred in their self-titled comic book, created by writer/artist Rob Liefeld. The team made its debut as a backup feature in the 1987 one-shot Megaton: Explosion before later appearing in its own ongoing series in 1992 as the flagship publication for Image Comics. Youngblood was originally published by Image Comics, and later by Awesome Entertainment.
Youngblood was a high-profile superteam sanctioned and overseen by the United States government. The members of Youngblood include Shaft, a former FBI agent and archer whose bow uses magnets to propel its arrow instead of a string; Badrock, a teenager transformed into a living block of stone;[1] Vogue, a Russian fashion model with purple-and-chalk-white skin; and Chapel, a government assassin.
In February 2009, according to Variety, Reliance Big Entertainment has acquired the feature film rights to the comic book, reportedly for a mid-six figures, and has attached Brett Ratner to direct. "Most of the great graphic novels are gone, and 'Youngblood' is one of the few comic books left with tentpole potential," Ratner was quoted telling the trade. "It was a real personal passion project for me, and a lot of people wanted ('Youngblood'), but the amazing thing about the guys at Reliance is the speed with which they're able to move." The film will be fast-tracked, although no decision has been made on whether it will eventually land at Paramount, where Ratner has a first look deal. No cast or release date has yet been announced. The film's script was last tackled by J.P. Lavin and Chad Damiani.