Warner Bros. is in a state where they’re re-evaluating a number of projects they have in the fire as they look to become more Disney-fied in terms of tentpoles and creative, hence larger focus on the upcoming DC Comics slate by adding two more films to the mix and more Harry Potter works among others. With that in mind, seeing that Netflix is in final negotiations to acquire and produce the film is certainly not a surprise. They’ll likely retain a stake in it on some level and could even bring it out theatrically as Netflix is looking to mine that area more themselves. The project also has its budget revealed with a planned $40-50 million range – which is exactly the type of film Warner does well but is looking to do less of thanks to changing priorities in the marketplace and globally.
The film is bring produced by Vertigo Entertainment with Witten Pictures and Lin Pictures, who have seen a good infusion this past year with their success in producing The LEGO Movie. Roy Lee, Dan Lin, Jason Hoffs and Masi Oka are involved as producers. The cast currently includes Nat Wolff and Margaret Qualley.
Viz Media has released the manga and anime in North America.
Plot concept: The story follows a student who discovers a mysterious notebook that kills whomever’s name is written in it. When the student meets the notebook’s previous owner, a demon bent on ridding the world of anyone it deems evil or useless, he ends up tracked by an Interpol officer investigating the unexplainable deaths of several criminals.
[Source: Variety ]