20th Century Fox have announced that they are planning to reboot their historical superhero property, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
According to Variety, the production company – which also holds the rights to Marvel’s ultra-successful X-Men franchise – are making plans to remake the film, based on the graphic novels by Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill.
Described as “the Justice League of Victorian England” by its authors, the novels follow a group of pre-existing literary characters – including Alan Quartermain, Captain Nemo, Doctor Jekyll and Dracula’s bride Mina Harker – who all group together to battle the monstrous enemies that seek to threaten their existence.
The novels were last adapted in Fox’s 2003 film of the same name, which starred veteran actor Sean Connery – in his last leading role before retirement – as Quartermain. The film, which grossed $179,265,204 worldwide at the box office, was originally intended to spawn a film franchise, but failed to capture much enthusiasm from critics and audiences alike.
Fox has now founded a production team to start finding writers and directors who might be able to succeed where the last attempt failed and turn the concept into a working franchise that can hold its own against the mammoth projects of Marvel and DC.
The trailer for the ill-fated 2003 film can be seen below.
