There are many graphic novels out there that I have yet to read. Some got bought by studios and made into a movie but I never cared to read them before the movie version gets released. But This one however caught my attention and I might have to pick it up at the next book store that I go to. Probably also because I’m a big fan of the TV series Rome.
According to Variety, Mandalay Pictures has acquired film rights to the Oni Press graphic novel JULIUS, Written by Antony Johnston and illustrated by Brett Weldele, published in 2004 the story is a modern version of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar with a hint of gangsta!
According to http://www.antonyjohnston.com/titles/julius/, this is the brief plot and I don’t know how much of this will be survive in the movie’s final storyline…
Returned home to the East End after a bitter territorial war, Julius – a gangster boss, or “Guv’nor” – discovers his position as beloved leader is not so secure as he might have thought.
When another Guv’nor, Mark, asks Julius to assume overall control of the East End, it’s too much for Julius’ right-hand man Brett – who conspires with rival Guv’nor Cassidy to usurp the crown…
I think those names are word play on Julius Caesar, Marc Anthony, and Brutus.
cool stuff, huh?!
It’d be like watching Rome but with guns.
I just hope this doesn’t end up having Shakespearean language style with all the “thou” and the “ye” and the “shalt”.
That’s the one thing that kept me from liking Leo DiCaprio’s 1996 movie Romeo and Juliet.
JULIUS the movie will be directed by F. Gary Gray, a filmmaker who sometimes do well (The Italian Job, The Negotiator) and sometimes do terrible (Be Cool)
