Photo of Berg and cover image of Hercules: The Thracian Wars #1

Peter Berg takes on Radical Comics’ Hercules for Universal

Peter Berg, fresh off his blockbuster hit, Hancock, is attached to produce and develop to direct Hercules: The Thracian Wars, based on the Radical Publishing 5 issue miniseries of the same title, written by Steve Moore. Hercules will be a co-production of Spyglass Entertainment, Berg's Film 44 and Radical Pictures. Ryan Condal, recently hired to adapt Warren Ellis' graphic novel titled Ocean for Nick Wechsler and Hollywood Gang Productions, will write the script with the film to be co-financed by Spyglass and Universal. Spyglass' Jonathan Glickman, Roger Birnbaum and Gary Barber will produce with Berg and his Film 44 partner Sarah Aubrey, with Barry Levine producing for Radical. Jesse Berger will exec produce.

“We are very excited by the opportunity to explore a new chapter in the Hercules mythology” states Sarah Aubrey. “Barry and everyone at Radical did an amazing job taking a big story and grounding it in a complex and unique character.  We've never seen this Hercules before."

Barry Levine explains “When I first read the treatment for Hercules, what drove me to want to publish this was the tremendous set pieces, but they were more or less backdrops to who our character is. Hercules' band of mercenaries each have their own burden to bear and hidden demons that are consuming them. One of the most interesting aspects of the comic book series is not only how they deal with these conflicts, but how they persevere and fight for a cause that is greater than themselves. This is not just another sword and sorcery kind of film. This is truly a character driven piece. As a comic book publisher we know that you really have to buy into the characters before you can buy into the universe.”

Radical Publishing, Radical Pictures, Barry Levine, and Jesse Berger are represented by Alexis Garcia and Adam Levine with Endeavor Talent Agency and managed by David Schiff with The Schiff Company.

Peter Berg & Film 44 are represented by Endeavor Talent Agency.

Hercules: The Thracian Wars #1 2nd print is available to order through Diamond Comics Distributors and will ship in August of this year. Hercules: The Thracian Wars #1 2nd print will ship with 2 covers, one by Jim Steranko for cover A (DCD# MAY088195), and one by Admira Wijaya and Sunny Gho cover B (DCD# MAY088196),

Hercules: The Thracian Wars #2 (DCD# APR084073) is featured in April 2008 Diamond Previews catalogue and will ship in June of this year. Hercules: The Thracian Wars #2 will ship with three covers one by Admira Wijaya and Sunny Gho of Imaginary Friends Studios, one by Greg Broadmore of Weta Workshop, and one incentive cover by Jim Steranko (APR084074) that is available at a 1:20 ratio. Cover A and B will be distributed with 1 copy of cover A for every 3 copies of cover B.

Hercules: The Thracian Wars #3 (DCD# MAY084083) is featured in May 2008 Diamond Previews catalogue and will ship in July of this year. Hercules: The Thracian Wars #3 will ship with two covers, one by John Bolton for cover A and one by Svetlin Velinov of Imaginary Friends Studios for cover B. Cover A will ship in 3:1 ratio to cover B.  

Hercules: The Thracian Wars #4 is featured in June 2008 Diamond Previews catalogue and will ship in August of this year. Hercules: The Thracian Wars #4 will ship with two covers, one by Stjepan Sejic for cover A (DCD# MAY0881 99) and one by KingMong of Imaginary Friends Studios for cover B (DCD# MAY088200).

About Radical Publishing
Radical Publishing is founded by BARRY LEVINE (Producer for Universal Studios, Spyglass Entertainment, Film 44, and Radical Pictures’ HERCULES and Lion Rock Production, Infinitum Nihil and Radical Pictures’ CALIBER. Executive Producer for the in development Warner Brothers’ REX MUNDI movie, written by JIM UHLS, starring JOHNNY DEPP and Universal Pictures’ R.I.P.D), his protégé JESSE BERGER (Executive  Producer of HERCULES), and longtime writer/publisher DAVID ELLIOTT (Atomeka Press and Tundra Publishing).

Radical Publishing is bringing the best in writing, storytelling and fully-painted cover and interior artwork to the global comic book market by prominent international talents such as YOSHITAKA AMANO, JOHN BOLTON, LUIS ROYO, JIM STERANKO, STEVE NILES, IAN EDGINTON, STEVE MOORE, SAM SARKAR, STJEPAN SEJIC, DAVE WILKINS, STEVE PUGH, JAMES HEFFRON, TOMM COKER, CLAYTON CRAIN, BILL SIENKIEWICZ, WETA WORKSHOP, IMAGINARY FRIENDS STUDIOS, and many more.

www.radicalcomics.com

www.myspace.com/radicalpublishing