Hollywood firm acquires rights to Singapore comic book series
By Cheryl Lim, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 25 March 2009 2039 hrs

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SINGAPORE: The comic "Freedom Formula" may not ring a bell, but this Singapore creation is set to hit silver screens around the world.

The movie version of the comic series, "Freedom Formula: Ghost of the Wasteland", marks the first time a Singapore-produced story has been signed on for development with a major production studio.

US-based New Regency has bought the rights for development and the film – about futuristic slave racers competing in extreme high speed races for entertainment – will be distributed by Fox.

Edmund Shern, creator of "Freedom Formula", said: "We definitely saw the potential in it as a film, as a video game, as toys. But our primary focus, once we committed down that path, was to create as good a comic book series as we could."

Co-producing the film will be the director of "X-Men" and "Superman Returns", Bryan Singer, in a tie-up with Los Angeles-based Radical Pictures.

Barry Levine, founder of Radical Pictures, said: "This was created for the Asian market. At the end of the day, if the character translates into a universal market, then we adapt it.

"If Edmund had given us something that was good but didn't translate properly, we wouldn't have done this. I think it has a shot to be a huge blockbuster. It is a film that appeals to everyone."

Shern, who is also the executive producer for "Yona Yona Penguin" – a CG-animated film by Japanese anime studio Madhouse - said plot-driven story ideas appeal better to major studios than character-driven ones.

And while the concept and storyline of "Freedom Formula" has a global appeal, the creator of the series said it is actually a story that is inspired by unique aspects of life in Singapore.

"For example, it's set in a literal city state and the whole concept is Formula One-style, racing-style exosuits that race all around the city. And I'm sure all that sounds very familiar," said Shern.

Pre-production for the film is expected to begin by the end of this year.


- CNA/so