In the comic book movie world Chris Pratt saw his star power rise to new heights this last year as he took on the role of the legendary Star-Lord in Marvel’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy. ‘ Now he is returning to the big screen for another comic book movie. No, I’m not talking about ‘Guardians of the Galaxy 2‘ as we already know about that one. This time up he is taking on the role of Duncan in the adaptation of ‘Cowboy Ninja Viking.’
The graphic novel was released by writer A.J. Lieberman and artist Riley Rossmo through Image Comics and was originally set to be released through Disney. The first draft of the script was written by Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese of ‘Zombieland‘ fame and when the studio felt that their work was “too edgy,” the rights ended up heading over to Universal.
With Universal running the film now it looked like Marc Forster (‘World War Z‘,’Quantum of Solace’) was initially set to direct though it appears the director’s chair has since been vacated. Still, with a strong script and offbeat character Pratt immediately signed on for the role.
In the graphic novel, Duncan, who has Multiple Personality Disorder, ended up being part of a covert agency’s counter-intelligence program who was using such individuals as a new breed of spy. The agents were known as triplets and each had three personalities to built off of to make them adaptable to any situation. While the agency was a success, Duncan ends up escaping the non-voluntary program and uses his abilities to track down and punish the billionaire who is behind the program’s creation.
Duncan’s personalities obviously consist of a cowboy, a viking, and a ninja. Apparently in the most recent draft that helped convince Pratt to sign on, each of these personalities will physically show up on the screen, well at least in Duncan’s mind. So while the world will see a Duncan that looks like Chris Pratt, we’ll be seeing him in costume of the personality in control at any given time. Of course, that could change before it actually makes it to filming but right now that’s what we can expect from it.
To get a better feel for the project, here’s a synopsis of Volume 1 of ‘Cowboy, Ninja, Viking’:
The American cowboy, the ninja, and the Viking form a triumvirate of toughness seldom equaled in world-to say nothing of pop culture-history. Each is superbad in his own right, but what about when the most deadly attributes of each can be found in one man? Duncan is such a man, the result of a secret government program to create soldiers for the war on terror. This experimental regimen conscripts people suffering from multiple personality disorder and turns them into “triplets,” highly lethal operatives possessing three distinct personalities drawing from warrior/tough guy archetypes. Duncan serves as the reader’s entry point into a complex web of espionage and violence that grows more intriguing as we are let in on exactly what’s up with Duncan, the people who want to drag him back into the fold, and the rest of the triplets that remain at large. Lieberman crafts a tight and darkly funny plot while Rossmo’s scratchy linework perfectly captures the jangled psychological state of its protagonist. This is one of those series whose title alone practically heralds outright narrative stupidity, but it’s far more odd and entertaining than expected.
With Pratt now on board, it’s safe to say that it won’ be too long before a new director is announced to helm the film. We’ll be keeping an eye on this project and will update you as news emerges.
Source: Cinema Blend
