20th Century Fox has recruitedStranger ThingsdirectorBecca Thomasto direct an adaptation ofJames Wan’s comic series,Malignant Man. PerTHR,The Conjuringand Aquaman filmmaker is attached to produceMalignant, which is based on the Boom! Studios comic he co-created with writerMichael Alan Nelson(Hexed) and artistPiotr Kowalski. Boom!’sRoss RichieandStephen Christywill also produce alongside Wan, operating through his Atomic Monster label.
The sci-fi thriller follows Alan Gates, a man diagnosed with terminal cancer and resigned to his imminent death until he discovers that his tumor isn’t deadly cancer but a mysterious alien parasite. Gates not only gets a new lease on life, he discovers extraordinary powers and “must fight against an evil army buried beneath society’s skin, all the while unlocking the secrets of his forgotten past.” (viaBoom! Studios).
The screenplay comes fromLights Outco-producerZak Olkewicz. For Thomas,Malignant is the latest in a series of exciting projects to come the director’s way. After making her feature debut with the 2012 indie drama,Electrick Children, Thomas directed an episode of MTV’s short-lived but well-lovedSweet/Viciousand a Season 2 episode of the Netflix sensationStranger Things, which drops in October. She is one of only two directors, the other beingToy Storyscribe andFinding NemodirectorAndrew Stanton, to join Shawn Levy and the Duffer Brothers behind the camera for the second season. Thomas is also attached to Universal’s live-actionThe Little Mermaidmovie and Paramount’s adaptation of theJohn Greenbestseller Looking for Alaska, both of which are still in development.
San AndreasdirectorBrad Peytonwaspreviously attached toMalignant.
