Only Jay-Z can match Luc Besson with the amount of times he’s announced his retirement, but it seems the celebrated French director is going back to the director’s chair once again.
“Les Aventures Extrodinaire d’Adele Blanc-Sec,” is the first in a projected trilogy of films based on the nine-volume series by French cartoonist Jaques Tardi. According to Wikipedia, Tardi’s work was mostly geared to adults, and stylistically, bears a resemblance to the work of Herge (who’s Tintin series is currently in the hands of Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg). While at this point it’s unclear whether the trilogy will compress the storylines of multiple volumes, or leave them each as standalone films, the plot description from AFM certainly sounds exciting:
The year is 1912. Adèle Blanc-Sec, an intrepid young reporter, will go to any lengths to achieve her aims, including sailing to Egypt to tackle mummies of all shapes and sizes.
Meanwhile, in Paris, it’s panic stations! A 136 million-year old pterodactyl egg on a shelf in the natural history museum has mysteriously hatched, and the bird subjects the city to a reign of terror from the skies. But nothing fazes Adèle Blanc-Sec, whose adventures reveal many more extraordinary surprises…
Set in the carefree world before World War I, Adèle Blanc-Sec’s adventures see the brave young woman fearlessly battling crooks, corrupt politicians, demon worshippers and mad scientists. Legendary cartoonist Jacques Tardi’s original stories perfectly recreate the intrigue, romance and excitement of one of the most tumultuous periods in history.
The site goes on to say that the film is due in 2010, will star Louise Borguin, Gilles Lellouche and Mathieu Amalric, and given that we already have a one-sheet with the lead character in costume, the film is probably already deep into pre-production. According to IMDB, the film will be animated as well, but we’re guessing that like the “Arthur” films (Besson is currently wrapping up post-production on that film’s two sequels), it will be mixed with live action and will probably be limited to the more fantastical elements of the story like the dinosaurs.
Needless to say, as Besson is one of the premier action/adventure directors working today and also one of the great visualists, this one has now been added to our list of anticipated titles for next year.