BENDIS ADAPTS JINX FOR SCREEN, CHARLIZE THERON STARS, PRODUCES

[MattBrady]

According to today’s Hollywood Reporter, Charlize Theron is in negotiations to star in Jinx, an adaptation of Brian Bendis’ story about a female bounty hunter. The film will be produced by Circle of Confusion for Universal. Theron will also produce through her own company, Denver & Delilah Films, and Bendis will write it.

Jinx, for newer Bendis fans is some of the material the creator cut his teeth on, both writing and illustrating the story over the course of 2 ½ years.

The deal isn’t the first time Jinx has done the Hollywood two-step, but it is the first time the love between it and a studio has been…uh…consummated. Originally, Miramax bought the film rights to the property while Bendis was still writing it when they bought the rights to Goldfish as well.

“But they never even looked at it,” Bendis said. “There were always little nips and nibbles, but nothing worth typing about. This was the first time we went out with it - and having done this before, as chronicled in my Fortune and Glory book, let me give some words of advice to the kids out there: if you're going to try to sell something in Hollywood try to do it with a big movie star in the room, its a big help.”

The story of Jinx, for those unfamiliar with it focuses on a female bounty hunter who has to learn to trust a criminal in order to work together and locate millions of dollars that was abandoned.

And, as mentioned earlier, according to the trade, Bendis will adapt the story - or, breaking it down, “I am writing the screenplay based on the...” Bendis said.

As for how Theron got involved in the project in the first place, “My manager and producing partner was talking to hers,” Bendis said. “And if I ever say anything more Hollywood than that you have permission to hit me about the head and neck with a USM hardback.

Theron attached herself to the Jinx film before her Oscar win for her role in Monster, and according to Bendis, did something very unusual at that point. “After winning the Oscar, she then had the most unHollywood notion of honoring her word after she became a big time Oscar winner,” Bendis said. “So on top of my admiration for her obvious talent, I am quite pleased with her entire team's character. Good people.”

Looking at his side of the workload, Bendis explained that, even though Jinx was heavily influenced by film, it’s not a good-to-go illustrated screenplay in its present form.

“Though Jinx has filmic language, it is still very much a novel that takes its sweet time going where it goes,” Bendis said. “There are big differences in structure and pacing. And yes, I do know what pacing is.

“The characters and themes and most of the circus of the plot will remain the same. The relationship between Goldfish and Jinx is the hook of the book and the movie. It’s why Charlize is involved.”

In terms of scheduling, things are still somewhat up in the air as far as when production will start, given Theron's schedule (a live action adaptation of Aeon Flux which begins filming on July 17th, as well as the HBO movie The Life and Death of Peter Sellers", and the film Class Action are all on her plate), and Bendis’ schedule – “Everyone involved knows I have a day job that is of the highest importance to me,” Bendis said. “This will not be effecting my comics commitments. I just won't be adding any books for now.”

Despite the stories being connected, Bendis said that Universal is not looking at Goldfish at the present.

Looking at the bigger picture, Bendis was able to wax philosophic for a moment when asked about the recent spate of comic book films where the comic creator has been heavily involved, and what effect that may have on future comic book films. “I think that it’s going to be up to the individual creator and the circumstance, Frank Miller seems very involved with Sin City,” Bendis said, and “Mignola on Hellboy. But it's a real tornado of silly out there - 5000 times crazier than comics will ever be, and you have to want to get in there and fight. Some creators, like Alan Moore, do not want to. Others really do, or think they do until they get there then they run screaming back to mommy.

“Some authors are very bad at adapting their own work. Others are amazing at it - comics, novels... so we'll see.

“Oh, and Jinx the graphic novel is on sale now from Image Comics.”

[AlexLothos]

Cool news... I like this trend and hope it continues to work out!

[Blind Assassin]

Beautiful News for Bendis, and dor fans of Jinx!

Hooray! YAY!

[Vyper]

Sounds cool. I've heard of Jinx before, but it didn't really spark my interest until now. I may have to look it up.

[Jigsaw]

If I hear one person bitching that the script is a complete departure from the original intent of the source material I'm going to smack them.

Yay for Bendis!

[mc (_(\/)_)achete]

bendis' dialogue-intensive writing is a good fit for film. i haven't read jinx (i intend to), but from what i have heard, it'd make a good script.

[Jack Burton]

BMB is awesome. Good for him.

[from the gutter]

Ive been told a hundred times to read jinx, but I havent. I have read Torso though, and I love that book. I havent read it in awhile and plan to reread it once I finish rereading the Star Wars novel The Aproaching Storm. I cant believe Torso hasnt been floated around.I could see a dramatic anime working for it. And of course live action with big ol stars and such here in america. You know, unless it involves stuff that Ashcroft wont like. Im just waiting for Ashcroft to pull a Wertham, and Torso would be a perfect book for him to do so. Since comics are for kids, and Im sure comic book stores are marketing Torso to the Power Puff Girls and Dexters Laboratory readers.

[Augie De Blieck Jr.]

Originally posted by Jigsaw
If I hear one person bitching that the script is a complete departure from the original intent of the source material I'm going to smack them.

You'll hear that AND MORE:

"I used to like the comic, but I'll never read it again. The movie ruined it for me. "

"Why did Bendis change so much stuff?"

"Why couldn't they find someone with dark curly hair for the part? Why option the book if you're not going to cast a lookalike to star in it?"

"As a screenwriter, Bendis is a great comic book writer."

"They say it's based on a comic book, but I don't see any spandex in it. What's wrong?"

"It should have been done in black and white, like the comic!"

God, you people disgust me already and you haven't even said it yet. ;-)

Mark this post now, and we'll come back to compare notes in 3 or 4 years, should this movie make it to theaters.

-Augie

[Tom Daylight]

Jinx... Serenity... and possibly Wanted...

Universal's output has never looked more exciting!

[G Dog]

From the Newsarama front page: "It's a lock - Charlize Theron is a go for starring in and producing Brian Bendis' Jinx"

I'll believe it's a lock when I see her on the screen...

[Skyldt]

but at least no one can complain.

"man, the screenwriters sucked at this...the comic was much better."
"dude...Bendis wrote the screenplay."

[Prof OddPassion]

I just wonder how this is going to effect that Bond spinoff that Halle Berry was supposedly going to do....I heard it would be called Jinx as well.

Not that I care, this sounds far more interesting than a spinoff of an awful movie.

[Blind Assassin]

The Bond/Jinx thing has been cancelled by the studios who said they would rather pour their money into a good bond sequel, than 'diluting the franchise'.

The only jinx on the horizon is Bendis' Jinx.

[The Ill Jedi]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm...Charlize Theron. *drools*

[gOgIver]

Darn! I thought this was a film version of Jinx the cat with Pixie and Dixie!

Congrats

[John Osen]

[bigmentalross]

The ending will obviously have to be changed since it pretty much entirely is based on the idea that the reader will have read Goldfish.

Still, good news. Can't wait.

[The Escapist]

Originally posted by G Dog
From the Newsarama front page: "It's a lock - Charlize Theron is a go for starring in and producing Brian Bendis' Jinx"

I'll believe it's a lock when I see her on the screen...

Heh. I'll second that-- I don't know about anyone else, but I actually READ Fortune and Glory!

Still, great news for BMB-- well deserved!

[Wrath]

Dont you think they will have to change the name since they were trying to do a Bond spin off with a female lead named Jinx with Halley Berry? Sounds like legal issues to me...

I know that movie was cancelled but movie studios are greedy bastards... unless this is from the same studio :P

[Blind Assassin]

Originally posted by Wrath
Dont you think they will have to change the name since they were trying to do a Bond spin off with a female lead named Jinx with Halley Berry? Sounds like legal issues to me...

I know that movie was cancelled but movie studios are greedy bastards... unless this is from the same studio :P

Maybe the bond spin-off to 'Jinx' was nixed because there already was a legal issue?

Pure speculation of course, but it is something to consider as well.

[Burnrate]

The ending will obviously have to be changed since it pretty much entirely is based on the idea that the reader will have read Goldfish

Oh, I don't know. I read Jinx before Goldfish, and I didn't have a problem with the ending.

I'm also in the "I'll believe it when it's on the screen" crowd, but with all the comic-movies on tap, it's not too big a leap of faith.

[Barry]

Jinx is a phenominal book and the last great work I've read from Bendis. For those of you who think his work on his Marvel books are great, you really need to check out Jinx to see what he's really capable of.

[treble kicker]

Huzzahs and kudos to this news. Of course I was psyched when that Miramax deal was announced years ago.

I concur that the rabid base Bendis cultivated with his marvel work seriously take a look at this book. It may be what Bendis cut his teeth on, but it was my first exposure to his writing after a critical notice in Spin lo many years ago. It was fun and exciting and Bendis was incredibly effective as the incomptent partner of Goldfish.

I know this is going to be considered as snarky, but I got to say it. I had to chuckle when I read his statement about knowing how to pace a story. It would have been more accurate to say pad a story, but it's an old and played out one liner... so now waiting for Oz to get on with the powers movie

[The 'Nam]

hmm..i dont know about theron playing jinx, but this should be good.

any news on whos playing goldfish and columbia?