Taika Waititi, known for Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok, will be writing and directing the adaptation of The Incal graphic novel.
The Incal is an epic French graphic novel space opera series written by Alejandro Jodorowsky, a Chilean-French filmmaker and artist who was going to adapt Frank Herbert’s Dune in the 70s, but the project was canceled, with Jodorowsky using some of the art and concepts for The Incal.
Further information can be found in the video and official press release below.
Here is a description of the graphic novel:
The Sci-Fi masterpiece by Moebius and Jodorowsky about the tribulations of the shabby detective John Difool as he searches for the precious and coveted Incal.
John Difool, a low-class detective in a degenerate dystopian world, finds his life turned upside down when he discovers an ancient, mystical artifact called “The Incal.” Difool’s adventures will bring him into conflict with the galaxy’s greatest warrior, the Metabaron, and will pit him against the awesome powers of the Technopope. These encounters and many more make up a tale of comic and cosmic proportions that has Difool fighting for not only his very survival, but also the survival of the entire universe.
Alejandro Jodorowsky and Taika Waititi on The Incal:
Press Release
HUMANOIDS AND ACADEMY AWARD-WINNER TAIKA WAITITI TO ADAPT THE INCAL AS A FEATURE FILM
The bestselling, cult classic science fiction graphic novel from HUMANOIDS will be adapted for the first time ever.
LOS ANGELES – November 4, 2021 – Global entertainment media company HUMANOIDS announced today that its bestselling graphic novel THE INCAL is being adapted as a feature film by Academy Award®-winning and Emmy®-nominated writer, director, and actor Taika Waititi. In addition to directing the film, Waititi is writing the screenplay with Jemaine Clement and Peter Warren. The project marks HUMANOIDS first of many forays into film production, and this is the first time THE INCAL has been adapted.
“The films and graphic novels of Alejandro Jodorowsky have influenced me and so many others for so long. I was stunned to be given the opportunity to bring his iconic characters to life and I am grateful to Alejandro, Fabrice and everyone at HUMANOIDS for trusting me to do so,” said Waititi.
Created by filmmaker/writer Alejandro Jodorowsky and French artist Mœbius (1938-2012) at the end of the 70s, THE INCAL is considered a comic book masterpiece and is the highest-selling science fiction graphic novel in history. The graphic novel is the foundation of the “Jodoverse,” which encompasses bestselling comic book series such as THE METABARONS and MEGALEX.
THE INCAL is an epic space opera about shabby P.I. John Difool, who happens upon a mystical artifact known as the Incal —an object of great power coveted by many factions across the galaxy. As Difool learns of the Incal’s powers and purpose, he—along with a ragtag crew of unlikely cohorts—reluctantly embarks on what begins as an improbable mission to save the universe, and slowly becomes a spiritual journey examining the duality and meaning of existence.
“It began as the adventures of a jackass named John Difool, and then it became something else—we called it THE INCAL — something that has transformed everything it’s ever touched and continues to do so: its creators, the other artists who later became a part of John’s journey, its publisher HUMANOIDS and myself in the process, countless readers, writers and directors around the world, and soon, I believe, the great Taika Waititi himself and everyone who looks to him for inspiration,” said HUMANOIDS CEO Fabrice Giger.
As one of the most revered and sought-after comic book properties in the industry, HUMANOIDS and Jodorowsky wanted to find the ideal filmmaker who would give THE INCAL the audiovisual life it deserves, ultimately opening the door to the other groundbreaking properties of the expansive Jodoverse.
“When Humanoids’ CEO Fabrice Giger introduced me to Taika Waititi’s work, it became obvious to me that he was the one. I fully trust Taika’s creativity to give THE INCAL a stunning take, intimate and at the same time of cosmic proportions,” said Jodorowsky, 92, from his home in Paris.
HUMANOIDS is producing with Primer Entertainment, a company led by David Jourdan that acquired a stake in the legendary publishing house in 2019 and brought in a multi-million-dollar development fund to partner on a slate.
This fund has helped jumpstart HUMANOIDS’ production activities with the freedom to develop independently and with various partners IPs from its vast catalogue of over 1000 titles and growing, which includes titles by world-class artists and writers such as John Cassaday, Milo Manara, Mark Waid and Robert Silverberg, among many others.
HUMANOIDS will announce additional partnerships for the film’s distribution and release at a later date.
Waititi is represented by CAA and Manage-ment.
ABOUT HUMANOIDS
HUMANOIDS is a global entertainment media company dedicated to bringing to life innovative and elevated contents with stunning visuals. Grounded by a fiercely independent spirit, the company is passionate about creating content that explores the power of art beyond boundaries, while focusing on the imaginative depth of fandom. Headquartered in Los Angeles and led by CEO Fabrice Giger and Group COO Matthieu Coppet, HUMANOIDS is a major content provider in the expansive entertainment industry, recognized for its multi-genre catalogue — from science-fiction, fantasy and thriller to comedy, adventure and children’s tales. Above all else, creators have always been the heart of HUMANOIDS as it continues to attract leading talents as collaborators and true auteurs of the iconic brand.
