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John Carpenter Adapting Horror Comic Book Series 'Darkchylde'

by Ethan Anderton
November 1, 2010

After dominating the horror genre back in the day with such classics as Halloween, The Thing and The Fog, director John Carpenter will next venture into comic books as a press release announced over the weekend that the filmmaker is set to adapt the 90's comic book series Darkchylde. Randy Queen's beloved comic follows a good-hearted southern teen Ariel Chylde who is cursed to become the creatures from her many recurring nightmares. Every time she transforms, the girl sheds her skin and a new nightmare emerges from her Id to act out her deepest, darkest impulses. Check out a promo image and some WETA test footage for the film below!

Here's the first promotional image for the film that was coupled with the press release:

Carpenter says, “Randy Queen’s hijacked angel, Ariel Chylde, is the best young female character since Laurie Strode in Halloween. Bringing Ariel and her dark mysteries to life should be quite an adventure for us all.” Spawning toys, trading cards, apparel, lunch boxes, and more, the comic book series was a breakout sensation of the late 90’s and early 2000’s and even went on to outsell Spider-Man, Superman, and Batman in both domestic and foreign audiences. If Carpenter's involvement isn't enough, perhaps collaboration with Richard Taylor's acclaimed Weta Workshop will entice you. Taylor recently released some test footage for the film (the slightly NSFW video is embedded below) and it gives us an interesting idea of where this film is headed.

Richard Taylor's test footage for Darkchylde from Weta Workshop:

While the comic book series never really interested me, the style and look of Weta's work is certainly intriguing. Of course, the casting of Ariel Chylde will be integral to the success of the film, and I wouldn't be surprised if Carpenter goes out of his way to land an unknown talent to lead the film. Aside from the talent, the prospect of Carpenter working with Weta Workshop is certainly a great selling point. What do you guys think?

Explore tags: Movie News, Opinions

JeremyA

This would be great for Taylor Momsen...only if nudity is involved.
http://twitter.com/itstherocketeer Otacon

Whoa whoa now. Darkchylde is HARDLY a "beloved" comic. If anything, its kind of a joke. Just a Hot Topic comic.
Voice of Reason

Slightly off topic, but I like how badass Weta has become. In ILM's heyday I'd throw my support to any movie that had them involved in special effects. Not so much nowadays and instead I find myself totally revved for a movie if Weta is involved. Theres something about them, probably the way they handle fantasy and rdark materials in a believable, exciting and never-before-seen kind of way. That said, Darkchyylde, to me, has a lot of promise visually.....I look forward to seeing how the other aspects of the movie come together to hopefully make a well-rounded flick.
dauber

No, It must be Taylor Momsen buck naked with demon wings. Just look at the poster
http://www.myspace.com/telltaletwins Telltale Twin

I have never heard of this Chylde comic...what makes it so awesome?
stove

Wow I haven't seen any progress on this for like 5 years. The footage is the same that was shown back then.
http://bryansays.com bryansays

The test footage doesn't entice me enough to want to see this. It does however remind me of another Demon-like female manga work called claymore. I would love to see that made into a live-action movie but I'm sure an american director will just screw it up like they did with Dragon Ball Z.
Clarity

Stove is prove postive that any idiot with a keyboard can and will post. The TEST footage was only released this summer. It didn't EXIST 5 years ago. Try and Keep up.
George

Creeping soon? lame. I also didn't think the transformation seemed painful or bloddy enough. could be good though. ill be keeping an eye on this project.
JTMoney

Man that concept sounds lame as hell. I wish they would pick some good comics, as a comic lover I have never heard of this comic.
stove

Such hostility Clarity. Check you aintitcool.com archives before using internet hostility. This is old footage no matter what the press release says. I hate to clown you but...
stove

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/33602
Lair

Never heard of this comic, but the poster looks cool. The small clip on the other hand doesn't impress me. I don't mean the CGI, which looks to be in a very early stages; but the cinematography, which doesn't reach up to par with the comicbook comparison that was shown before it.
Clarity

Stove, who said it was NEW Test footage ?? -- the PR says recently released -- as in this JULY. You said it was shown FIVE years ago, and the reality is it didn't EXIST in '05 and someone called you on it. SO deal. I'm not the one that needs to check their facts before posting negative comments. Movies take years. If this project isn't for you, then move along, I'm excited for it. >>Whoa whoa now. Darkchylde is HARDLY a "beloved" comic. << Ummmm... newsflash Otacon, the book was about as successful as independent comics can get, so the only joke is on you. May not be your cup of tea, and that's fine, but a lot of people, including myself, really LOVED it. Claire O_o