Comics
Universal Options BOOM! Studios’ ‘Day Men’ For Film.
In the wake “2 Guns'” success as a film earlier this month, Universal Pictures has optioned another BOOM! Studios title for the big screen. According to Deadline, Michael Alan Neson, Matt Gagnon and Brian Stelfreeze’s “Day Men” has been optioned for a feature film by Universal. With a new take on the vampire mythology, the series centers around the Day Men, an ancient order of servants and protectors for vampire families.
Comic Book Resources reports…
“We’re taking a very simple approach to the vampire mythos. Our vampires are more physical than they are mystical,” Stelfreeze told CBR in April. “Vampires are like a metaphor for power, and that is what this story is about. Sure, there are fangs and blood but the story is really about the lust for power and control. Our main character, David, is at the epicenter of all these tidal forces. This story bears a stronger resemblance to ‘Godfather’ than it does to ‘Dracula.'”
The series launched to decent critical acclaim, with CBR’s Jennifer Cheng giving the debut issue 3.5 stars, calling “Day Men” #1 “a solid beginning in how it sets up the conflict and sketches out the cast and texture of its world.”
“Day Men” getting optioned for a film is somewhat of a surprise, considering the series only recently launched in July. However, Deadline states that Universal put in a “pre-emptive seven-figure bid” for the film rights. BOOM! Studios CEO Ross Richie and VP of Development Stephen Christy are attached to produce.
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
You must be logged in to post a comment.