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Matz's Cyclops is Getting Adapted by James Mangold

by Alex Billington
March 18, 2008
Source: Variety

After reviving the western in 3:10 to Yuma, James Mangold will next move on to direct a feature adaptation of the graphic novel Cyclops. Warner Brothers is putting this on the fast track, searching for screenwriters within the next few weeks and moving it into pre-production right away for a presumably late-2009 release. The project is an "electrifying" science fiction film that Mangold explains is made up of "great action sequences combined with themes that are eminently foreseeable."

Cyclops is a French graphic novel written by Matz (aka Alexis Nolent) published in 2006 by Casterman (you can read more about it in French on their official site here). This is the second graphic novel from Matz that has been picked up for adaptation recently; the first was The Killer which Paramount picked up for David Fincher to direct. Cathy Konrad and Alexandra Milchan will produce Cyclops.

Set in the near future, the story focuses mercenary forces whose soldiers wear Cyclops-like cameras in their helmets and broadcast in real time to both central command and living rooms. One mercenary chosen to lead an elite squad begins to realize he isn't fighting for freedom and justice as much as for commerce.

Although I'm not too familiar with Matz' actual graphic novels, I do think Mangold and Matz should make for a good combination. I quite enjoyed 3:10 to Yuma, I thought Mangold did an incredible job of stylizing a western for modern times while also keeping up with the story. Although the plot description above sounds a bit vague, in the capable hands of a good screenwriter I'm sure that a more solid story will end up coming together. I'm looking forward to hearing more on this as it all develops.

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