The Titans are coming to Hollywood…

What was originally a rumor looks to be now set in stone with Warner Bros. adapting a Hollywood live-action of Hajime Isayama‘s iconic Attack on Titan. After much negotiations, Kodansha officially closed the deal on Monday with Warner Bros.

This has been confirmed with Andy Muschietti (left with wife Barbara), the director of the successful It reboot, signing on to direct the film. Muschietti is currently at work on It: Chapter 2 then Attack on Titan will be his next film. If anyone is capable of bringing the story to life perhaps in the vein of the original tone of the manga, it is Muschietti, whose track record has been nothing but phenomenal with Mama and now It.

Attack on Titan is set in a world which humanity lives in cities surrounded by enormous walls protecting themselves from gigantic humanoids that are referred to as titans. One such human, Eren Jaeger, hell-bent on getting revenge for his mother’s death, shocks everyone including himself when he learns he has the power to become a Titan himself and use his powers to help save humanity.

The title was first published by Kodansha in 2009 and in 2013, Wit Studio made a very successful anime adaptation, in which the second half of season 3 will premiere in April 2019. For those who want to see the anime, check out Crunchyroll to catch up.

In 2015, Warner Bros. Japan released a 2-part saga with a new story set in the same universe, and while the first film did appease the fans, the second half proved to be a case of hindrance due to the film being rushed and cut short, leaving many plot holes. The two films were directed by VFX artist Shinji Higuchi and featured a predominantly Japanese cast. Perhaps Muschietti will bring in a cast more akin to the German/Asian look of the characters. We shall see.

More as this develops…

H/T: Variety