He is the critically lambasted director known for the Rush Hour trilogy who is credited with single-handedly destroying the X-Men film franchise with his X-Men: The Last Stand.
It is the critically lambasted comic book which many point to as the book that brought on the darkest creative period in American comics.
It might be more than just coincidence that brought Brett Ratner and Youngblood together, it might be some kind of sick and twisted destiny.
Variety is reporting that Indian media conglomerate Reliance Big Entertainment have acquired the rights to the comic property from creator Rob Liefeld for a sum in the “mid six figures” with the indent of having Ratner adapt the property for the big screen.
Youngblood was the first title to come from the fledgling Image Comics group, a corporate identity created by seven superstar artists after they broke with Marvel and DC over rights issues. Created by Liefeld from an unused Teen Titans proposal, the team was a government sanctioned group of superpowered operatives who made the world safe for democracy.
The first issue was the highest selling independent book of all time. It was also one of the worst written, as characterization and exposition were jettisoned to make room for Liefeld’s then popular artistic style.
“Most of the great graphic novels are gone, and ‘Youngblood‘ is one of the few comic books left with tentpole potential,” Ratner was quoted telling Daily Variety. “It was a real personal passion project for me, and a lot of people wanted (‘Youngblood’), but the amazing thing about the guys at Reliance is the speed with which they’re able to move.”
Many genre fans were concerned with Ratner “ruining” their favorite properties. But, in this case, any “ruining” he might do might actually be an improvement.
