Japanese manga series** Death Note** has already inspired two films in its native country, but the series is now to be the inspiration for a new American take on the same story. We're assured, however, that it's not another J-horror remake: this is a new adaptation based on the books, not the movies.
The plot, for those of you not familiar with it, is that a student called Light Yagami finds a supernatural notebook with a link to the Death god Ryuk. If he writes someone's name in the notebook while holding their face in his mind, they die - and so Light begins a campaign to wipe out crime and corruption. The film will apparently draw on the first 3 volumes of the 13-volume series.
Charley and Vlas Parlapanides are adapting the script, following their gigs on War of the Gods and Live Bet. No director or cast members are attached as yet, but this is one to keep an eye on going forward. Read the Empire reviews of the first two Japanese Death Note adaptations hereand here.