EXCLUSIVE: Steven Paul’s Atlas Comics is developing a live-action version of Devil for Paramount Pictures. Black List writer Rebecca Webb is writing the screenplay. Paul is producing, Scott Karol, president of SP Media Group, and Jason Goodman – grandson of Marvel founder Martin Goodman – are executive producers. Conor O’Farrell, head of development at SP Media Group, is working on the project.
Devil is about a sheltered young woman who travels to New York in search of her past and discovers that she is the sister of Satan and has been manipulated by her twin brother, while a detective investigates a series of murders connected to her.
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Webb’s original revenge comedy Divorce party debuted at number 3 on the Black List in 2021 with the production of Cate Blanchett’s Dirty Films.
First published in 1975, Devil The comic revealed a cast of characters that would ultimately shape the interconnected Atlas universe, including fascinating figures such as Lomax, Grim Ghost, and Phoenix. These characters are an integral part of Atlas’ vast library, which includes over 100 comics covering a rich range of genres, from science fiction and fantasy to action, supernatural, and horror.
SP Media has a co-financing and production agreement with Paramount Pictures and Devil is the first project to be developed under this contract; early development began last year.
“From the beginning, Atlas Comics’ extensive library of characters and stories was designed as a coherent universe. Devil serves as an introduction and we are committed to honoring that fundamental vision of Atlas and ensuring audiences can be fully immersed in these dynamic characters and narratives,” says Paul.
“Atlas comes from the golden age of comics and has been home to some of the greatest comic book writers of all time. There are so many characters to love and so many stories to be told.”, said Jon Gonda, EVP, Production, Paramount Pictures’ Motion Picture Group.
Paul has a long history with Marvel, having worked with Avi Arad and Kevin Feige from early on, developing and producing Ghost Rider And Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeanceboth starring Nicolas Cage. Paul arranged international distribution through his company and financed the films through pre-sales and a deal with Sony Pictures.
Webb is represented by UTA and Hansen, Jacobson, Teller.
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