Netflix Orders TV Series ‘Cursed’ From Frank Miller & Tom Wheeler Based On Book Reimagining King Arthur Legend
EXCLUSIVE: Netflix is taking on a key character from the King Arthur legend, Lady of the Lake. The Internet network has teamed with famed comic book writer/artist Frank Miller (Sin City) and writer/producer Tom Wheeler (Puss In Boots) for original drama series Cursed. Netflix has given a 10-episode order to the project, which will be based on Miller and Wheeler’s upcoming illustrated YA book of the same name.
This is believed to be the first time the same creative team will be writing a book and TV series based on it simultaneously as they get to explore the characters from the book in more detail on screen.
Cursed is a re-imagining of the Arthurian legend, told through the eyes of Nimue, a teenage heroine with a mysterious gift who is destined to become the powerful (and tragic) Lady of the Lake. After her mother’s death, she finds an unexpected partner in Arthur, a young mercenary, in a quest to find Merlin and deliver an ancient sword. Over the course of her journey, Nimue will become a symbol of courage and rebellion against the terrifying Red Paladins, and their complicit King Uther.
Cursed, the TV series, is created by Miller and Wheeler who will executive produce. Wheeler is writing the book, with Miller providing full-color and black-and-white illustrations. It will be published in fall 2019 by Simon & Schuster.
“I have always been entranced by the mythological Arthur story—and by Nimue, in particular. It can be interpreted in any number of ways—from a delightful children’s story, as in The Sword in the Stone, to a terrifying interpretation like Excalibur,” Miller said in a statement when the book was announced last week.
Added Wheeler, “I am honored and humbled to be working with the living legend Frank Miller on Cursed. I cannot think of a writer-artist who has had a more formative impact on my growth as a storyteller.”
Miller is known for his comic book stories and graphic novels such as Ronin, Daredevil: Born Again, The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City, and 300. He also created the comic book characters Elektra, for Marvel Comics’ Daredevil series, and Carrie Kelley, for DC Comics. Miller co-directed with Robert Rodriguez the feature Sin City and its sequel, based on his graphic novel, served as an executive producer on Zack Snyder’s blockbuster 300, also based on his own graphic novel, and wrote and directed The Spirit, an action fantasy based on the Will Eisner comic book series. He is with Nigro Karlin Segal and Feldstein and Franklin Weinrib.
Wheeler co-wrote Warner Bros’ Lego: Ninjago Movie. He also wrote the screenplay for Puss in Boots, a Shrek spin-off, and is currently penning its sequel. He recently sold his original screenplay, Vostok, to Paramount Pictures, with Michael Bay attached to direct, and just completed the script for a live-action feature, Dora the Explorer, with James Bobin attached to direct and a 2019 release date, also for Paramount Pictures. In TV, Wheeler created and executive produced the NBC superhero drama series The Cape and the ABC pilot Captain Cook’s Extraordinary Atlas. He is repped by WME and Sloane Offer.
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