In early 2019, Assemble Media announced that it was developing a film based on Mercy Sparx, a lesser-known indie comic from Devil’s Due Publishing. Although MGM acquired the screen rights to the project more than a year later, it’s been ages since either studio shared an update on how it was coming along. But now it looks like the movie has a new writer. Deadline brings word that Laura Kosann will pen the screenplay for Mercy Sparx.
Devil’s Due founder Josh Blaylock launched Mercy Sparx with artist Matt Merhoff in 2008. The series introduced readers to the title character, a demoness from Hell who was recruited by God to track down renegade angels on Earth. As she hides among humans, Mercy also has an existential crisis that leads her to see the “gray area” between good and evil. But it also winds up compromising her mission.
Kosann is replacing Nick Shafir, who was hired to write the adaptation in 2020. Shafir’s script was described as a “female Constantine,” referring to the Keanu Reeves adaptation from 2005. Regardless, it’s not clear if Kosann is using his draft as a template or starting completely from scratch.
RELATED: Assemble Media Developing a Mercy Sparx Adaptation
Previously, Kosann wrote and directed her debut film The Social Ones, which premiered in 2019. Her two most recent screenplays, The Ideal Woman and From Little Acorns Grow, have yet to be produced. But they both earned spots on the annual Black List in 2021.
Assemble still sounds committed to building Mercy Sparx out as a franchise. Jack Heller will produce the film for the studio alongside The Picture Company’s Alex Heineman and Andrew Rona. Blaylock is also executive producing with Assemble’s Scott Veltri.
Are you happy to hear that Mercy Sparx is trudging ahead? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!
Recommended Reading: Mercy Sparx Omnibus Vol. 2
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This affiliate advertising program also provides a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This is also a sentence.
