For those who have read and also the fan of the graphic novel titled ‘Villains‘ which is published by Viper Comics, this might be a good news for you guys. Universal already got the movie rights for the film adaptation of that graphic novel!! Oh Yeaahh!! For this film, newcomers Matt Jennison and Brent Strickland were hired by producer Sean Bailey from Ideology to write the script. Currently, they are writing for Joel Silver’s Wonder Woman. Others who are involved are Matt Smith from Idealogy who will be the executive producer and Jessie Garza from Viper Comics will co-produce.  Jessie Garza is also the President and Publisher of Viper Comics. Scott Bernstein will monitor the whole progress for Universal Studios.

Villains Graphic Novel from Viper Comics

The unique feature of the storyline is it will not concentrate on the kind hearted superheroes as other stories but it will focus on the  super-crooks or super-baddies. The graphic novel by Adam Cogan and Ryan Cody is about a young man (20 something) who is an aimless-loser named Nick Corrigan who stumbled upon a past-has-been supervillain known as “Hardliner” who is unexpectedly his aging neighbour. “Hardliner” is already retired from the underground world and is living in hiding for the past few decades.  Once Nick know about his neighbour past, Nick then blackmailing him by not turning him to authorities if he agreed to teach him the fine art of career super-crime. Instead of teaching what the kid want, ”Hardliner” also teach his forced-to-be student some lessons Nick Corrigan will never forget.

Universal Studios Logo

Viper Comics Logo

As for the company, Universal Studios is a subsidiary of NBC Universal which is a major Global American motion picture company. The production studios are located at 100 Universal City Plaza Drive in California. It is also known as the second longest-lived American studio in Hollywood after Paramount Pictures. As for the Viper Comics, it was founded in December 2001 and began production as an independent publisher in Dallas, TX. I wish the fate of small comic publishers or indie comics in Malaysia will be like this company which is a major breakthrough for an independent publisher.

Anyway, I believe it might take some time for this film to reach cinema. I believe the mood of this movie adaptation from comic will be some sort like “Wanted” which I like. For more information on this film and graphic novel, please visit:

1) ‘Villains’ Graphic Novel
2) Viper Comics Official Website
3) Universal Studios Official Website
4) Source from Hollywood Reporter