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Sam Raimi, Ridley Scott, Leo DiCaprio, DC Comics, Oh My! Updated - Change of Plans!

by Alex Billington
October 15, 2008

Update! It seems we were wrong about this news today. Instead of pulling it off the site and leaving everyone wondering what went wrong, I'll give a quick explanation. The article on Variety was written so haphazardly that everyone thought that Ridley Scott and Leonardo DiCaprio were attached to Sleeper. The truth is that they're actually attached to Low Dweller, which is another project from screenwriter Brad Ingelsby. These two connect because Ingelsby is writing the adaptation of Sleeper and was referenced. Check out Variety's article and tell me you wouldn't have thought the same thing! So truth be told - Sam Raimi and Ridley Scott are not working together. The original article can still be found below.

Is this a dream? Sam Raimi, Ridley Scott, and Leonardo DiCaprio all working together on a DC Comics adaptation? It can't be true! Back in August we wrote about a project called Sleeper that Sam Raimi was producing. At the time, Tom Cruise was loosely attached to star, but that's no longer the case. Variety reports today that Leonardo DiCaprio will star and that Ridley Scott will direct a screenplay written by Brad Ingelsby (of only The Honeyfields previously). I don't know too much about the actual comic, but it sounds like this could potentially be a fantastic adaptation, with so many big names involved. I'm also wondering when Ridley Scott is going to fit this into his insanely busy upcoming schedule?!

The story centers on an operative whose fusion with an alien artifact makes him impervious to pain and allows him to pass it on to others through skin contact. He is placed undercover in a villainous organization by an intelligence agency and falls for a member of the group, named Miss Misery. "Sleeper" is actually a spin-off series from a comic called "WildC.A.T.s" and also features characters from another spin-off comic called "Gen 13." Rights to both of those comics have already been scooped up by other studios previously, even before DC Comics bought "Sleeper" in 1999. Both Sony and Regency previously passed up adapting the comic due to these rights issues, but it looks like Warner Brothers has finally figured it all out.

No word on who will play Miss Misery yet, but we do know that the lead operative will be Leo's gig. While this is a very sci-fi story, apparently it's also somewhat of a comedy. The last time I remember Ridley Scott doing comedy was maybe in A Good Year or Matchstick Men, but neither of those were that great. Either way, this at least has one of the most impressive selections of behind-the-scenes talent that I've ever come across, except for screenwriter Brad Ingelsby as the weak link. It just needs Natalie Portman as Miss Misery and my dream will be complete. And with that, I'm now heading down to my local comic book shop to pick up a copy of Sleeper and read through it tonight. I've got high hopes for this adaptation, that's for sure!

Explore tags: Hype, Movie News, Opinions

Matt

This should be promising, Ridley Scott is an awesome director!!! We'll see how it pans out in the future
Conrad

Sweet deal!! An emsemble of great filmmakers and actors for one comic adaptation - should be good!
Ryan

Thank God Tom "Xenu" Cruise was replaced with a much much better actor. Sounds cool.
chris

DC once again demonstrates their superiority in the comic-to-screen arena.
LW

Sleeper is pretty cool with a pretty cool power. I didn't know it was a spin-off of Gen-13 characters though when I read it. Now a Gen-13 live action movie... I'd probably go see. It would have to be done PERFECTLY though. It'd be a really delicate movie to handle >__< Anyway, enough about Gen-13. Back to Sleeper
Alfredo

A spin-off from a spin-off from Gen13? Who would've thunk it would bring such high quality folks. Hopefully WB has actually figured out all legal matters on this one, considering it's been handled by other studios, and there won't be a Watchmen-like mess again.
Brad

Drop Raimi out of the mix and I might be excited.
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

Just updated the post! We messed up... Apparently Ridley Scott and Leonardo DiCaprio are NOT attached to The Sleeper. Read the above update for more info. Thanks for understanding!
nelson

thank god tom cruise looks like main character more than leo anyway
http://www.comichacks.com Chris @ ComicHacks.com

Alex, You keep calling it "The Sleeper". It's just "Sleeper". So don't be disappointed if you go to the comic chop asking for "The Sleeper" and walk out with "Sleeper", ok? And the original source material by Ed Brubaker wasn't a comedy at all. It was very dark with dark humor at best. Anyway, you should start with "Point Blank" which is the setup for "Sleeper", then get all of the "Sleeper" trades. Hopefully you have a great local comic shop that still has then in stock.
ERivas

Yea Alex...even with knowing what you stated in the update to this post..I would still say that article makes you think that they are connected to the movie "Sleeper". You are off the hook =)