Action writerKurt Johnstadhas been tapped to pen the screenplay forProphet,the feature-length adaptation of the comic book series of the same name byDeadpoolcreatorRob Liefeld. The film willfeatureJake Gyllenhaalin the title role, and will be directed bySam HargravesofExtractionfame.
According toThe Hollywood Reporter, Johnstad will be joining the project as its main scribe. The film will be based on the character of John Prophet, who was first brought to life by Liefeld in the pages of theYoungbloodcomics in the early 1990s following his departure from Marvel to start his own comic house,Image Comics. The character would go onto become one of the most well-known superheroes from theYoungbloodseries.
In the comics, Prophet becomes conscripted by the German Army during the end of World War II, and gains superhuman strength and abilities following a series of experiments by a time-traveling doctor. However, the plot of the upcoming film seems to be slightly different than Liefeld’s story. While Prophet will still volunteer for the German experiments, he is buried by an Allied bombing and trapped underground for 20 years. He then awakens in 1965 to “a world that has moved on without him.” He must try and win back the love of his resentful daughter while running from KGB agents who want to use his blood to create new supersoldiers.
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The original script for the film waswritten byMark Guggenheim,known for his work on the Arrowverse television shows for The CW, though it appears that he may no longer be involved with the project. Instead, Johnstad will now take over as writer, but it is unclear if he is helming a new screenplay from scratch or if he will be pulling ideas from Guggenheim’s original script. He is best known for his collaborations withZack Snyder,penning not only300,but also the film’s sequel,300: Rise of an Empire.Beyond this, Johnstad also wrote the scripts for films such asAct of ValorandAtomic Blonde,the latter of which he was also an executive producer. Johnstad will also team with Snyder once again as writer and executive producer on Snyder’s upcoming sci-fi epicRebel Moon.
Hargraves is slated to helmProphetthrough production house Studio 8, with the studio tappingJeff RobinovandJohn Grahamas producers. Additional producers includeAdrian Askariehof Prime Universe Films, along withJohn SchoenfelderandRussel Ackerman. Gyllenhaal, Liefeld andBrooklyn Weaverwill also recieve producer credits. No additional cast has been announced beyond Gyllenhaal.
No release window forProphethas been announced, though it is likely years away given the film appears to still be in the early stages of pre-production. Collider’s interview with Rob Liefeld can be readhere.
