MILLER'S RONIN LANDS AT WARNER BROS

**MattBrady** · 05-02-2007, 10:17 AM

And the next Frank Miller comic coming to the movies…

According to today’s Hollywood Reporter Frank Miller’s Ronin has landed at Warner Bros., with Sylvain (Stomp the Yard) White in negotiations to direct. As we reported in February, Gianni Nunnari, one of the producers of 300 is looking to produce, along with his company, Hollywood Gang.

From our earlier report:

One of Miller’s perhaps lesser-known works, Ronin was a six issue miniseries published between 1983 and ’84 (after his initial run on Daredevil, and before “Born Again”) by DC, and has been collected in several printings since. The story spans centuries, starting in feudal Japan where a young ronin sought to avenge his former master who was slain by a demon. The ronin was successful, but was trapped in a curse the demon uttered with its dying breath that linked the two.

Centuries later, in a New York overrun by the bio-engineered Aquarius Complex, a boy begins to have dreams about an ancient ronin warrior, and the complex is invaded by an unstoppable terror – the two enemies live again.

For years, Darren Aronofsky had been attached to bringing the project to film.

Greg Silverman is overseeing for Warners. Gregory Noveck is overseeing for DC Comics.

According to the Reporter, there is no script, the makers are working from a treatment White wrote.

Miller will serve as executive producer.

AraqnidM · 05-02-2007, 10:30 AM

first? horray!

This is the one Miller piece that I've always been curious about but never picked up. I remember reading the synopsis of it on the back cover and really digging it. Something about a Ronin from feudal Japan being reborn in modern day New York to fight his master's killer who is still alive? Cool stuff (did Samurai Jack rip it off?).

Miller's like Hollywood's new golden boy. I mean this guy has Darren Aronofsky under his thumb!

KingConan · 05-02-2007, 10:33 AM

If it's anywhere near as good as Sin City or 300 this will be another excellent movie.

First relevant post....hooray!

delawarejoel · 05-02-2007, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingConan

If it's anywhere near as good as Sin City or 300 this will be another excellent movie.

First relevant post....hooray!

Sin City - si!
300 - no!

But Ronin was very cool....should make a great movie.

Derek Ruiz · 05-02-2007, 10:38 AM

Seeing as Ronin is my favorite work by Miller I can't wait for this...

Is Martha Washington far behind?

eltopo · 05-02-2007, 10:40 AM

I think Ronin would make a really cool movie if it's done correctly

Ye Olde Iowa · 05-02-2007, 10:40 AM

Well, as KingConan pointed out, the bar has been set pretty high for adaptions of Miller's work with Sin City and 300. Of course, Miller was also heavily involved with the creative aspects of these films and they were done by directors with extraordinary passion for the original work.

Call me a skeptic, but I'm not exactly comfortable with the film being handed over to such an untested and relatively unsuccessful director. According to IMDB, outside of his "breakthrough" movie Stomp the Yard, he has done a direct-to-video sequel to I Know What You Did Last Summer, a short film, and the third movie in the Trois "franchise".

That's not exactly a flattering resume. In fact, its the type of resume that when I look at it, all I can think is "Maybe this guy shouldn't be making movies if this is what he is going to put out." Of course, he could prove me wrong, but I'm not exactly seeing him taking over this project as being a good thing.

eltopo · 05-02-2007, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Ruiz

Seeing as Ronin is my favorite work by Miller I can't wait for this...

Is Martha Washington far behind?

Martha Washington would be awesome !

creatorman · 05-02-2007, 10:53 AM

From what I remember, Ronin was such a great read. But, I must read it again. Really looking forward to the film. I'm sure it will be a visual feast.

KingConan · 05-02-2007, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AraqnidM

first? horray!

This is the one Miller piece that I've always been curious about but never picked up. I remember reading the synopsis of it on the back cover and really digging it. Something about a Ronin from feudal Japan being reborn in modern day New York to fight his master's killer who is still alive? Cool stuff (did Samurai Jack rip it off?).

Miller's like Hollywood's new golden boy. I mean this guy has Darren Aronofsky under his thumb!

Hmm, that's an interesting Samurai Jack parallel...I never really thought of that but there are some similarities between the two. Damn, now I miss Samurai Jack.

Colonsus · 05-02-2007, 10:59 AM

Mmmmm.. I'm very skeptical about this one. I love Ronin the comic, but it's a bit cerebral and slow to work as a movie- I just don't see them pulling this off well without major changes. There's no chance of a panel by panel job like with Sin City or 300.

SMG · 05-02-2007, 10:59 AM

Yes, if you take out the Matrix type pieces of the story you get Samurai Jack. I saw something about another Miller story that studios were looking at about an middle aged push-over accountant that finds out he is a killer robot. Is this a real story? If it is what is the title?

KingConan · 05-02-2007, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMG

Yes, if you take out the Matrix type pieces of the story you get Samurai Jack. I saw something about another Miller story that studios were looking at about an middle aged push-over accountant that finds out he is a killer robot. Is this a real story? If it is what is the title?

That's "Hard Boiled", one of my favorites by MIller....with some incredible Geoff Darrow art as well. Highly recommended.

**MattBrady** · 05-02-2007, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingConan

That's "Hard Boiled", one of my favorites by MIller....with some incredible Geoff Darrow art as well. Highly recommended.

and in same universe as Martha Washington, IIRC.

MattB

Colonsus · 05-02-2007, 11:09 AM

Who will play Hawkeye in this? No, wait.... never mind.

ORACofSEVEN · 05-02-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattBrady

and in same universe as Martha Washington, IIRC.

MattB

Actually no, Hard Boiled actually is a loose interpretation of Philip K Dick's short story The Electric Ant.

However, I believe in one panel of one of the Hard Boiled books Geoff Darrow put in Raggiy Ann a supporting character from Give Me Libery(Martha Washington) --·it should also be noted that throughout the series he peppered the backgrounds with DC, and Marvel arachetypes as well as Star wars and other genre archetypes without them being the actual characters.

However Marv and Martha did "cross-over " of a sort in a one shot by Frank Miller did around that time (Tales To Offend) a 2 page spread as a comentary on the proliferation new comic book universes popping up every 5 seconds.

ORAC OUT

NatePetrelli · 05-02-2007, 11:14 AM

I didn't enjoy Sin City or 300.

This seems like a good concept if executed well.Would love to see Aronofsky tackle this but from what I understand he has his plate full.

KingConan · 05-02-2007, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattBrady

and in same universe as Martha Washington, IIRC.

MattB

Really? That sounds kinda interesting. Actually, I think Martha Washington is just about the only Miller work I have never read...so based on this thread I definitely need to go track that book down now and read it.

johnny.blaze · 05-02-2007, 11:20 AM

Darren Arnofsky MUST direct this picture. The Fountain was simply one of the most amazing pics i saw last year.

ORACofSEVEN · 05-02-2007, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KingConan

Really? That sounds kinda interesting. Actually, I think Martha Washington is just about the only Miller work I have never read...so based on this thread I definitely need to go track that book down now and read it.

Actually what Matt was thinking of was Geoff Darrow and Frank Miller's other series The Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot... who also appeared in Martha Washington Stranded In Space.

Interestingly enough Rusty and the Big Guy already got an animated series for themselves a few years back.

ORAC OUT

Crusader K · 05-02-2007, 11:30 AM

This is great news. I loved Miller's artwork on this. It was so organic and detailed.

I could never decide if the Ronin and Demon were actually resurrected by using Billy's powers or if Billy's telekinetic abilities brought the story to actual life. Was an awesome read on a lot of levels - fantasy, sci-fi, superheroic. If you haven't ever read it - dont wait for the movie! Run out and grab the trade!

MadBandit · 05-02-2007, 11:33 AM

Good news for Frank.

And yes, Samurai Jack does have similairities to Ronin. Warner Bros was going to do a live action version of SJ, but the project fell through.

RIP Mako aka Aku, the Shogun of Earth.

Spaz_Monkey · 05-02-2007, 12:06 PM

I've always felt that Ronin would work damn near perfectly as an anime. If it could be a cartoon, drawn in Miller's style, I think it would be the perfect fit. It gets a little too big, for lack of a better word, for a live-action movie.

fearlessrees · 05-02-2007, 12:22 PM

A film likes this needs an innovative mind like Darren Aronofsky.
Look at his track record? Pi was genius, Requiem was most innovative film i've ever seen, and The Fountain was the most inspirational and amazing thing i've ever seen in the cinema.

I hope he drops Black Swan and takes on this. Although, I do want him in Fighter more than ANYTHING else...

MadBandit · 05-02-2007, 12:30 PM

Also, one episode, Jack and the Spartans, was influenced Miller's "300" and Battle of Thermopylae.