Thomas Jane starring in Steve Niles' Comic Book adaptations !

Lions Gate Films has acquired worldwide rights to many of popular comic book author Steve Niles’ extensive catalogue, in addition to confirming a first look deal on all film projects by or found by Niles and actor Thomas Jane, it was announced today by Peter Block, President Acquisitions and Co-Productions, Lions Gate Entertainment, and Michael Paseornek, President, Lions Gate Films Productions.

The deal includes the hit Niles catalogue titles "The Lurkers" and "In the Blood; The Dark Country" an original story by screenwriter Tab Murphy ("Tarzan", "Atlantis: The Lost City"); and a new project which is to be unveiled at the upcoming Comic-Con genre convention in San Diego, where Niles and Jane will be present. Jane, who toplined Lions Gate’s hit THE PUNISHER, will take leading and supporting roles in the films, and he and Niles will serve as producers with Lions Gate Films. Block, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions Jason Constantine, Paseornek and Director of Development Alex Franklin will oversee the productions for the studio.

"Steve Niles’ graphic novels are horrific and visionary, and are ripe for adapting into atmospheric, terrifying feature films," said Block. "We are very excited to be in business with Niles and the talented actor/writer Thomas Jane, and are looking forward to working with them to bring these properties to the screen and to the large number of fans eager to see them realized on film."

"There is no other place to go with boundary-pushing genre material than Lions Gate, as they have proved countless times. I am happy to have found the best place for my books to be transferred to the screen," said Niles. "My experience with Lions Gate on THE PUNISHER was fantastic, and I am looking forward to working with them on these projects both in front of, and behind the camera," added Jane.

Block and Sam Wollman, Director of Business and Legal Affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of Lions Gate. Eddy Yablans of ICM, Bryan Wolf of Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca & Fischer LLP and Alex Kohner of Barnes, Morris, Klein, Mark, Yorn, Barnes & Levin represented Niles and Jane.