Given the success of Wanted, it comes as no surprise to find that Universal has picked up the rights to another graphic novel which runs along very similar lines.
In fact, the basic plotline of Viper Comics' Villains is, essentially, a Wanted retread.
It follows Nick, a quick-tempered young guy who has lost his job and looks set to lose his girlfriend too. As he struggles to figure what to do, he stumbles upon his neighbour’s secret - he is the super-villain Hardliner. Finding a new purpose as his protégé, Nick descends into the criminal underworld.
Written by Adam Cogan and illustrated by Ryan Cody and Russ Lowery, the graphic novel is told solely from the bad-guys' perspective, as was Mark Millar's Wanted. However, that was changed somewhat by the time it reached cinemas. With Villains' premise and title, it's hard to imagine the same thing happening here.
Matt Jennison and Brent Strickland, who are currently working on Wonder Woman for Warner Bros., will write the screenplay.