Night of the Living Dead Spinoff Coming From Twilight Producers and Former Marvel Executive

Twilight and The Hunger Games studio Lionsgate is teaming with comic book publisher Double Take (2T), a subsidiary of leading video game developer and publisher Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., for the film adaptation of the comic book series Z-Men, the two companies announced today.

Written by Jeff McComsey, Z-Men is the flagship title in Double Take's recently-launched universe spinning out of the classic horror franchise Night of the Living Dead.

Created in 1968, Night of the Living Dead has seen innumerable sequels, remakes and spinoffs due in part to a clerical error that resulted in the film entering into the public domain immediately upon release.

"We're delighted to expand our relationship with our friends at Take-Two by partnering with their comic book arm, Double Take, in bringing Z-Men to the big screen," said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairs Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger. "We continue to diversify our portfolio with films adapted from novels, video games and board games and look forward to translating 2T's graphic novel into a spine-chilling film for moviegoers and comic book fans alike. It is yet another example of the strong underlying intellectual property on which our film and television content is based."

"We are pleased to expand our partnership with Lionsgate, who has the right team to bring to life on screen what Double Take brings to life in comics," said Double Take General Manager Bill Jemas. "We look forward to seeing Lionsgate's creativity transform the Z-Men story into an exciting feature film, and everyone on the Double Take team is incredibly enthused at this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

The deal was orchestrated by Lionsgate Motion Picture Group President of Business & Legal Affairs Patricia Laucella.