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WIRE Buzz: Star Trek: Fleet Command expands; Sony scores 'The Kaiju Score'; and Unikorn
Like our own universe, Scopely's Star Trek: Fleet Command mobile game is expanding...to include every other timeline from the beloved and long-running sci-fi franchise. Until today, the game only featured the canon established by the "Kelvin" continuity in the J.J. Abrams movies.
With the addition of elements from across the IP's 54-year history (from the original TV show to CBS All Access' Discovery and Picard), players will be able to access "a robust slate of storylines, characters, ships, and more to be integrated into the top-grossing MMO/strategy game," says the release. The "unprecedented partnership" was made between Scopely and ViacomCBS Consumer Products.
"With over 50 years of content to draw from, this expanded partnership with ViacomCBS Consumer Products marks the first time all of these iconic Star Trek stories, characters, and universes will find a home in one immersive experience," Steve Huff, Senior Vice President of Product at Scopely said in a statement. “We’re honored to be deepening our collaboration with ViacomCBS Consumer Products and contributing to the legacy of Star Trek through our shared mission of delivering an exceptional experience to fans all over the world, for many years to come.”
"Star Trek is a multi-generational franchise that continues to generate new iterations to meet the needs of its ever-growing loyal and passionate fan base," added Pam Kaufman, President, Global Consumer Products, ViacomCBS. “With this first-of-its-kind partnership, we are able to harness the combined power of the beloved brand to give gamers a unique opportunity to create their own new adventures utilizing an exciting title from an exceptional partner like Scopely."
Since launching in November of 2018, Fleet Command has gained an impressive following. For instance, players spend several hours a day engaging with the game and more than 70 percent of them play it seven days a week. To date, over 5 billion battles have been waged (those are up 20 percent from last year) and the title has brought in over $250 million in revenue.
Sony Pictures has scooped up the screen rights to AfterShock's upcoming comic, The Kaiju Score, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed this morning. This is a pretty big (ahem) score when you consider the fact that the genre-mashing book hasn't even gone on sale yet.
Described by co-creator and writer James Patrick (The Monsters of Jimmy Crumb) as a mixture of Quentin Tarantino and Godzilla, the story follows a group of thieves as they try to pull off a grand heist in the middle of a giant monster attack. Yeah, pretty awesome stuff.
"I’ve tried to not be excited about it and just focus on my work, but I've failed at that. I'm excited. Period," he told THR. "Excited because it will hopefully bring more eyes to the book since it won't come out until November, excited for people to read the book and see how much more it is than just a good hook, and excited if it brings more attention to my other work and to [co-creator] Rem Broo's wonderful art and his other books."
"Not only has the book not been released yet, but it hasn't been finalized," Broo (The End Times of Bram and Ben) added. "James did a fantastic job on the script, but I still have plenty to do on the visual part. This fact keeps me grounded and cool-headed for the moment. I need to keep myself focused on doing my job as well as my abilities allow me to, and let the things develop into something that I’m sure will be great."
Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch of Escape Artists will produce the film adaptation alongside Tony Shaw, who first brought the IP to Sony's attention. Lee Kramer and Jon Kramer will produce on behalf of AfterShock.
The Kaiju Score #1 goes on sale Wednesday, Nov. 25. Learn more about it here.
Speaking of movie adaptations based on graphic novels, Deadline reports that Armory Films is helping develop a big screen translation of Unikorn. The project is set to mark the directorial debut of Debbie Berman, editor for Marvel Studios' Black Panther and Captain Marvel.
"Unikorn has heart, humor and ultimately leaves you feeling inspired and hopeful, story elements which define some of our favorite films like The Goonies, E.T., and The Black Stallion, and feelings we are all desperately seeking more now than ever," Armory Films co-founders Chris Lemole & Tim Zajaros said in a statement to Deadline. "With Debbie Berman at the helm, this film is destined to be a magical feel-good adventure that will be remembered for decades to come.”
Created by The Source's Don Handfield and Joshua Malkin, the comic follows Maeve "Mae" Everhart, who inherits Percy, a horse with a nub on his head. She suspects that her new equine companion is a unicorn, but when Percy performs a healing miracle, he is declared a mythical creature. As crowds start to descend upon the family farm, Mae realizes the world isn't yet ready for horse magic.
Deadline takes the synopsis a little further, writing that Percy's horn was intentionally removed in order to keep him safe from those who'd wish to do him harm. Wanting to prove her skeptical father wrong and save everything she holds dear, Mae sets out to find the missing horn.
"It is full of heart and humor, has wonderful complex characters, and is quite simply a great story," Berman told DL. "Bonus points for exciting action scenes. "I believe the magic of movies is how they can transport us out of reality and allow for pure escapism, and Unikorn is the perfect ride for that adventure."
Scout Comics and Simon & Schuster will publish Unikorn next year. Rafael Loureiro (The Mall) is handling illustrations.
