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‘Romeo and Juliet: The War’ Movie in the Works at Lionsgate (EXCLUSIVE)

http://variety.com/2015/film/news/romeo-and-juliet-the-war-movie-lionsgate-1201657971/

1821 Media and Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment are teaming with Lionsgate to develop a movie based on their graphic novel “Romeo and Juliet: The War,” Variety has learned.

The novel is a reimagining of William Shakespeare’s classic “Romeo and Juliet” tale, created by Stan Lee and Terry Dougas of 1821 Media, written by Max Work with illustrations by Skan Srisuwan.

“What a treat it is to finally announce our partnership with Lionsgate on a project,” said Lee. “The story of Romeo and Juliet is one of my absolute favorites, and I can’t wait to bring our rendition of this classic to life.”

Screenwriter John J. Griffin is adapting the screenplay. Griffin previously won a Nicholl Fellowship for his screenplay “Dream Before Waking.”

Paris Kasidokostas-Latsis and Terry Dougas of 1821 Media will produce. Lee and Gill Champion of POW! will executive produce and Erik Feig and James Myers will oversee the project for Lionsgate.

The book was a New York Times bestseller following its publication in 2012. It was also published in a limited giant edition that set the Guinness World Record for the largest graphic novel.

Kasidokostas-Latsis recently set up the Hercules Film Fund, to bring European investors to Hollywood, and Dougas formed Rhea Films as the producing vehicle for films financed by Hercules. The duo and partner Jean-Luc de Fanti are executive producers on Universal’s Tom Cruise actioner “Mena,” directed by Doug Liman.

“Given their success with franchises such as ‘The Hunger Games’ and ‘Divergent’ series, Lionsgate is the perfect partner to adapt this graphic novel which is rich in visuals and set in an incredible, futuristic world,” Kasidokostas-Latsis and Dougas said.

1821 Media’s recent credits include Gavin O’Connor’s “Jane Got a Gun,” starring Natalie Portman, and Paul Weitz’s “Grandma,” starring Lily Tomlin for Sony Classics.

Griffin is represented by WME and managed by Kevin Donahue.