Mike Eakins
Announced at Cannes and as revealed in the Hollywood reporter, Ghost Rider producer Steven Paul announced that he has acquired a majority interest in the Atlas Comics library and signed a co-production and co-financing first-look deal with Paramount Pictures to develop, produce and distribute superhero films based on the comic books.
Also onboard is Akiva Goldsman (Batman Forever) and his Weed Road Pictures who will oversee the writing, develop, and building out the universe of characters in the Atlas universe.
Production is scheduled to begin during the second quarter of 2020 with a release expected in 2021. The companies intend to produce and release at least one superhero project each year thereafter. The films will be produced by Paul, whose credits also include the Ghost Rider sequel and Ghost in the Shell, Goldsman and Atlas production president Spike Seldin (The A-Team).
Paul acquired the stake from its owner Nemesis Group and principal Jason Goodman, grandson of Martin Goodman, who was the founder of Marvel Comics, which was later run by Martin’s cousin Stan Lee.
“We’re still counting the characters,” said Paul, as he addressed the audience in front of a dozen blown-up Atlas covers including Tiger-Man, Sgt. Stryker’s Death Squad and Devilina. “Marvel has 4,700. I want to be up there.” “What an opportunity that we have with the Atlas universe, which spans so many genres: superheroes, sci-fi, fantasy, supernatural, horror, creatures, vampires, cops, cowboys, soldiers,” said Goldsman. “The breadth of this material is extraordinary.”
An acquisition such as this one comes only once in a lifetime. Sure you’re saying “we don’t know who Buck Duck is”, or “we’ve never read the Adventures of Homer Ghost”. And chances are you’re not alone. However, the rich history of Atlas and its roots are well planted in the comic industry. This has the makings of something special and is definitely worthy of keeping an eye on and an ear open to.