Torso

[borateen]

I loved the book and loved the Sam & Twitch and Hellspawn series that Bendis did for McFarlane. But I thought Bendis and McFarlane had some kind of falling out which led to his leaving TMP or being let go from the books. Then I read this today:

TORSO

Variety (subscription required) reports that "David Fincher, who is currently directing 'Zodiac' for Paramount and Warner Bros., will reteam with Par to helm 'Torso.' Bill Mechanic, Don Murphy, Todd McFarlane and Terry Fitzgerald are producing. Based on the graphic novel of the same name penned by Brian Michael Bendis with illustrations by Marc Andreyko, the project will be adapted by scribe Ehren Kruger. Par is close to finalizing all deals on the project, and once those are complete, Kruger will begin penning the screenplay."

Todd and Terry as producers? Was the falling out resolved, was there no falling out to begin with, or does Bendis not own the rights to Torso? Anyone have any ideas?

[BoosterBronze]

Frankly, I'm not sure why they're making a movie based on that comic. The art was great, but the story was just a rehashed telling of several other books, but with an extremely unsatisfying ending and a needlessly gay character.
I hope the screenwriter can tighten up what could potentially be a great movie.

[DonC]

Frankly, I'm not sure why they're making a movie based on that comic. The art was great, but the story was just a rehashed telling of several other books, but with an extremely unsatisfying ending and a needlessly gay character.
I hope the screenwriter can tighten up what could potentially be a great movie.


The only reason I can think of is they want to use the title "Torso." Otherwise, like you said, they could just throw together bits and pieces of other books (like Bendis did) and not have to pay anybody. Hell, it's a true story. Last I checked, you didn't anyone's permission to make movies out of those.

[Pól Rua]

Frankly, I'm not sure why they're making a movie based on that comic. The art was great, but the story was just a rehashed telling of several other books, but with an extremely unsatisfying ending and a needlessly gay character.
I hope the screenwriter can tighten up what could potentially be a great movie.

Because it's Elliot Ness vs America's First Serial Killer.
Seriously, you REALLY think they're gonna keep anything else except for the title and the overall concept?
File under 'From Hell'.

[Forefinger]

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid24389.asp

[Lubichev]

Isn't Torso based on a true story? Maybe I'm not remembering correctly.

[borateen]

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid24389.asp

That article made it sound like this is going to be a can't-miss movie for me. I loved the book, loved Fight Club, Seven, and Arlington Road (just liked both Ring movies and Skeleton Key), and if they can get a good cast, well, that'll just seal it for me.

[Forefinger]

That article made it sound like this is going to be a can't-miss movie for me. I loved the book, loved Fight Club, Seven, and Arlington Road (just liked both Ring movies and Skeleton Key), and if they can get a good cast, well, that'll just seal it for me.
I'm a fan of Fincher's direction. I will try just about any movie that he directs, I really dig his style. Also the fact that he is going to try his hand at a real event that was also, from almost all accounts, an awesome comic.....yeah I can't miss this one either.


Isn't Torso based on a true story? Maybe I'm not remembering correctly.
That's what I've read.

[DonC]

Isn't Torso based on a true story? Maybe I'm not remembering correctly.



Yes. Torso is based on the Mad Butcher of Kingsbury Run. That's the second most famous killing in Cleveland, behind the murder of Marilyn Shepard. The killer was never caught, but it's fairly common knowledge who it was and the killings stopped when he was placed in an asylum for another crime. He would even send Eliot Ness taunting postcards from time to time.

Like I said, true story. All they would have to do is give some a writer a couple of the books Bendis read and they could get a screenplay without having to pay for the rights to anything.