Variety broke the news that Mark Wheatley, Mark Hempel and Rickey Shanklin’s graphic novel Blood of the Innocent is headed for the big screen, funded by Inferno Entertainment.
“Inferno has acquired underlying rights to the series and is funding development and production of the feature, which is being co-produced with Circle of Confusion. Jim Siebel, Marc Butan and Bill Johnson are producing for Inferno; Circle of Confusion partner David Engel and VP Stephen Emery are also producing along with Ksana Golod,” Variety reported. “Blood has been in development at the production-management banner since last year. Breck Eisner (The Crazies) is attached to direct and Bill Marsilii (Deja Vu) is writing.
The original comic book series set Dracula against Jack the Ripper and was published by Warp in 1985.
“BOTI isn't the first of my graphic novels to be optioned for film - but to date - it is the most satisfying relationship I've had with a screenwriter and director. Bill and Breck really ‘get’ the story and characters. And Rickey Shanklin and Marc Hempel and I just think it is cool that Inferno agreed with our take on the project,” Wheatley told Scoop.