DreamWorks in negotiations for XOMBIE live action movie with STAR TREK reboot team

DreamWorks in negotiations for XOMBIE live action movie courtesy of STAR TREK reboot team
- James Farr’s XOMBIE to get major studio adaptation treatment by writer-producer team Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci -

Los Angeles, CA, September 22, 2009 – According to The Hollywood Reporter, DreamWorks is in negotiations with writer-producers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (STAR TREK reboot, TRANSFORMERS 1, 2) to adapt a live action feature of James Farr’s XOMBIE, the sci-fi/horror adventure produced by Epic Level Entertainment that began as an online flash-animated series and expanded into a comic book as well as an “illustrated-film” currently in pre-production by Halo-8 Entertainment.

The original flash series XOMBIE: DEAD ON ARRIVAL is currently available on DVD from Halo-8 (ADA).

Praise for XOMBIE: DEAD ON ARRIVAL
- “A nerve-shattering, chain-rattling good time… a fun and frightening reinvention of the zombie genre.” –Mark A. Altman, Cinefantastique
- “Epic undead sci-fi with plenty of dark humour and action.” –Dave Alexander, Rue Morgue Magazine

In Pre-Production XOMBIE: REANIMATED
XOMBIE has been a hot property of late, with Epic Level and Halo-8 recently announcing pre-production of the illustrated-film adaptation XOMBIE: REANIMATED by director Matt Pizzolo (GODKILLER) and Emmy-winning producer Brian Giberson, written and executive produced by James Farr based on his comic book series for Devil’s Due Publishing. Epic Level’s Cindi Rice, John Frank Rosenblum, and Sean Fernald are on board to executive produce. The comic book will be adapted in Pizzolo & Giberson’s signature illustrated-film style they developed for the upcoming GODKILLER. Halo-8 has slated the XOMBIE: REANIMATED illustrated-film for a late 2010 theatrical release.

“I am thrilled to be working with Halo-8 again,” said Farr. “Not only is Matt Pizzolo an incredible talent, but he loves Xombie every bit as much as I do.”

“James has crafted a fresh and unique world filled with compelling, relatable, fantastical characters who make it feel like you’re reuniting with old friends whenever a new Xombie release comes along,” said Pizzolo. “As longtime fans of James’ work, Brian and I are ridiculously excited to be part of this and we can’t wait to give XOMBIE the ‘illustrated film’ treatment that allows us to present the story in a cool and different way while still being absolutely loyal to the original material.”

“This illustrated movie is a fantastic opportunity to continue the adventures of Dirge and Zoe,” said John Frank Rosenblum, XOMBIE’s executive producer. “Halo 8’s enthusiasm for XOMBIE makes them the perfect partner to bring the amazing comics created by James Farr and Devil’s Due to life, or indeed unlife, in a new way.”

“Illustrated films” are a new filmmaking format designed by Pizzolo and Giberson that mixes elements of anime, radio drama, video games, and motion comics. Utilizing the sequential artwork from the comic book, the “illustrated film” adds motion animation, 3D CGI, visual effects, elaborate sound design, music, and dramatic voice performances. The format was developed for the upcoming GODKILLER, which features voice performances by Lance Henriksen (ALIEN VS PREDATOR), Danielle Harris (HALLOWEEN II), Nicki Clyne (BATTLESTAR GALACTICA series), Bill Moseley (THE DEVIL’S REJECTS), Tiffany Shepis (NIGHT OF THE DEMONS), Lydia Lunch (Richard Kern’s HARDCORE), Katie Nisa (THREAT), Justin Pierre (singer of MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK), and Davey Havok (singer of A.F.I.). The first GODKILLER dvd streets on September 29th and is currently available for pre-order here.

XOMBIE is the story of Dirge, a dead man with a mind of his own, who struggles against his posthumous cravings (not to mention legions of the living dead). In DEAD ON ARRIVAL, Dirge struggles to reunite a lost child named Zoe with her family. REANIMATED takes place ten years later, when Zoe’s home is threatened by zombie hordes and Dirge returns to protect her.

XOMBIE began on the web as a series of flash animations (available on DVD from Halo-8) before being adapted into a comic book series, a graphic novel, and an illustrated novel. In its second week of release, the XOMBIE illustrated novel ranked #4 behind Watchmen and 300 on Amazon.com’s graphic novel sales rankings. Producer Epic Level Entertainment is currently developing a live-action XOMBIE adaptation for a major studio.

About Xombie Inc. & Epic Level Entertainment
Xombie, Inc. was formed in 2006 to expand and manage the XOMBIE property, created by James Farr. Originally launched by James in 2003, the XOMBIE animated series has displayed an unparalleled appeal to viewers of all ages, tastes, and backgrounds, resulting in over 13 million downloads of the first ten episodes. Xombie, Inc. is managed through Epic Level Entertainment (www.epiclevel.com), an innovative entertainment company with development and production expertise in film, television, internet media and games.

About Devil’s Due Publishing
Devil’s Due Publishing is one of the largest and most established comic book publishers in North America, carrying a diverse line-up of original, creator-owned and licensed properties. Known for launching trends in the industry, from the 1980’s retro explosion to unique political satire and collaborations with some of Hollywood’s finest, Devil’s Due is more than just a publisher – it exists to achieve success through the proliferation of ComiCulture in all areas. DDP’s titles include Hack/Slash, Drafted, Sheena, Mercy Sparx, Voltron, and CBS’s Jericho. The company currently has over a dozen projects in development with Hollywood studios and producers with a presence in both Chicago and Los Angeles.

About Halo-8 Entertainment
Halo-8 Entertainment (www.halo8.tv) is a Hollywood-2.0 movie studio using bleeding-edge strategies to create and distribute daring new films and lifestyle videos. Recent releases include the megapopular animated series XOMBIE: DEAD ON ARRIVAL (which Bloody Disgusting called “one of the best online animated series to date”), the legendary NY hardcore documentary N.Y.H.C. (which Cinematical called “smashing… a terrific, well-told, engaging story”), the award-winning hardcore-punk thriller THREAT (which Urb Magazine said “makes KIDS look like an after-school special”), and the campy, interactive horror-DVD-game SLUMBER PARTY SLAUGHTERHOUSE: THE GAME (starring Tiffany Shepis, Joanna Angel, Melissa Bacelar, Masuimi Max). Upcoming releases include the psychedelic horror IN A SPIRAL STATE (which Dread Central called “mindbending”), the erotic-art documentary THE NEW EROTIC (featuring XXX-auteurs Eon McKai, Kimberly Kane, Dave Naz, Jack The Zipper, Alejandra Guerrero), and the iconoclastic hero’s journey GODKILLER (which Fangoria called “a genre-star-studded opus”).