Ryan Condal is Adapting 'Queen and Country' For Fox
Filed under: Action, Thrillers, Deals, Scripts, 20th Century Fox, Newsstand, Comic/Superhero/Geek
This story simultaneously has thrilled me, and left me ashamed. But let's start with the thrilling part first. Somewhere in all the many comics that are bought up and hoarded by studios big and small, Fox actually bought Greg Rucka's Queen and Country. What makes rather unbelievable is that Queen and Country isn't about a superhero, or manly monster hunter. It's a series centered around a woman who is an operative of the SIS, aka MI6. We're talking a lady James Bond. Since when has Hollywood thought that would fly?Well, someone at Fox is brave enough to give an action heroine a chance. The studio has done more than option Rucka's comic, as The Hollywood Reporter says that they've hired Ryan Condal to bring Tara Chace to life. You couldn't ask for a better choice, as Condal has solid credentials at DC and Marvel, including a stint with Wonder Woman. Condal's Galahad script also landed on the Black List of awesome, unproduced work. So, Queen is getting the royal pre-production treatment, and should be able to lure in even more when the script is all ready and polished.
Now comes the shame -- I still haven't read Queen and Country, as I was waiting for it to wrap up, and then just completely forgot to pick it up. (I think I held it in my hand this year at ComicCon which makes me feel even worse.) I will rectify this immediately so I can howl with outrage or cheer with delight when they cast Tara Chace.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-24-2009 @ 6:52PM
John Muth said...
I'm totally excited to hear this news! Queen & Country is one of my favorite comic book series, EVER! (I even read the novel, which was good and fits right in at a certain point of the comics.) And I agree that it might a hot topic on who they cast as Tara.
But, the big thing about this movie - I hope - is from seeing another female-centric story in a male-dominated world, much like Greg Rucka's other comic series, soon to be released in theaters, WHITEOUT. (Which, was actually the first appearance of Miss Chace, but I don't think she's in the movie.) So, here's hoping that Rucka can be the counter-point to the comics-to-film maestro, that Mark Millar seems to be aiming for.
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8-24-2009 @ 7:37PM
Seth Brower said...
You really should check out the excellent collected editions, that they have put out, 4 volumes that collect the complete run so far, with the Declassified expanded mini-series as well. They included some great extras in scripts, art and interviews.
I am psyched, hopefully this powers through "development hell" and does well. With the resurgence of both the espionage genre with Bourne & Bond doing well, as well as the general comic crossovers.
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8-24-2009 @ 7:57PM
adgy said...
Second the previous commenter's thoughts. Queen & Country is easily one of the best comic books I've ever read and if they manage to do this right, it's going to be one hell of a film.
I can't wait!
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8-25-2009 @ 1:18AM
benbligh said...
I've never heard of the series but I'm going to pick it up based on everyone's love here. BUT...
Sorry everyone but FOX is making this film. Take a look at their track record of comic book adaptations: Fantastic Four 1+2, Daredevil, Elektra, Wolverine, X3... and other genre related material: Max Payne, Jumper, The Happening, X-Files 2, Dragonball, Eragon, Day After Tomorrow, The Day The Earth Stood Still
THEY DON'T MAKE GOOD MOVIES ANYMORE. Truthfully, if you read up on them in trade papers, it's actually not in their business plan to make good films.
Their approach to this series will be a half-assed attempt at making material they have zero respect for.
8-24-2009 @ 9:11PM
Rob Wilson said...
I have been a fan of Queen and Country for years. They better not screw this adaptation up. As for the role of Tara Chase, Angelina Jolie comes to mind immediately.l
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8-25-2009 @ 5:06PM
John Muth said...
@benbligh - I agree to an extent. But, for all those bad comic book/genre properties, there are and have been a few good movies (upcoming Avatar, Fantastic Mr. Fox & Jennifer's Body all look good, IMO) and earlier this year with the original property Taken...and, wow yeah, that's about it - anyway, no studio can do all wrong. And I'll hold out hope (naively possibly) that they can do this one right. It's meant as a more real world, story - like the administrative side to James Bond (Actually, watch the classic UK series, The Sandbaggers, and that's what the comic is - almost disturbingly so.)
But, again, hopefully Whiteout does well - which will show Rucka to be a profitable commodity (and then maybe we can get his take on a Wonder Woman movie!)
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