Nate Simpson's Nonplayer Getting Movie Adaptation From Jane Goldman

[Brendon Connelly]

One of Bleeding Cool's favourite comic books of last year (if not the last few years) was Nonplayer, Nate Simpson's rich and detailed fantasy about a woman escaping from her drab real life into a digitally-created otherworld. My biases and predilections being what they are, I think it would make a superb movie.

And so it might. Jane Goldman has apparently set about writing a screenplay adaptation. Roy Lee and David Heyman are among the producers and Warner Bros. are in charge of the purse.

Goldman has said very little about the project so far, but The Playlist got this quote:

I'm working on a sci-fi project for Warners. It's called Nonplayer, an adaptation of a really wonderful comic that just won the Eisner for Newcomer. It?s futuristic, it?s incredible. Science fiction is not a genre I?m used to, but it?s my favorite.

A pretty safe pair of hands, I'd say.

Here's a preview of several pages from the first issue, should you not be among the Nonplayer lovers already.



Paging Guillermo Del Toro.

[Funk Doctor]

So what comes out first: the movie or the second issue of the series?

[NateSimpson]

"So what comes out first: the movie or the second issue of the series?"

Definitely issue 2. Hopefully a few more than that. But Warner has the whole story document already, and I've agreed to contribute whatever visual reference they need, even if its for characters/events that haven't popped up yet in the comic. They seem to want to leverage at least some of the visual/atmospheric development that's going into the comic, which I find heartening.

As far as issue 2 goes, I'm about 2/3 done with it. It ended up being five pages longer and a little more visually detailed than the first issue -- and I set one 8-page chase sequence inside a fish market, which turned out to be a really hard thing to draw. Surprisingly, lots of fish were involved.

[chess_player83]

Beautiful book Mr Simpson. Take your time and do it right. Love the art.

[drachenfells]

If the second issue is as good as the first, im prepared to wait.

[Paul Sizer]

Congrats, Nate. Very well deserved praise and success. Keep up the good work, people obviously want to see more!

[drachenfells]

Also, Jane Goldman seems a perfect match up for this.

[NateSimpson]

Thanks, guys!

I agree, Jane Goldman is a great choice. She's enthusiastic, and smart, and nice, and she can write like nobody's business. I can't wait to read what she comes up with.

[fredmanson]

"So what comes out first: the movie or the second issue of the series?"

Definitely issue 2. Hopefully a few more than that. But Warner has the whole story document already, and I've agreed to contribute whatever visual reference they need, even if its for characters/events that haven't popped up yet in the comic. They seem to want to leverage at least some of the visual/atmospheric development that's going into the comic, which I find heartening.

As far as issue 2 goes, I'm about 2/3 done with it. It ended up being five pages longer and a little more visually detailed than the first issue -- and I set one 8-page chase sequence inside a fish market, which turned out to be a really hard thing to draw. Surprisingly, lots of fish were involved.

Aaaaah!!! Great news!!! With a so beautiful comic book and this strong story, I can wait now for the second issue!!!
I have one question: how many issues this series will have?? I have lost the news on it...

Take your time to produce your truly chef-d'oeuvre, my friend!! You have a huge and strong fan club here!!

[NateSimpson]

Hi Fred! Nonplayer was originally solicited as 6 issues, but it's looking like it might be either 7 issues or the last issue may be double-length. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Your portrait is rad.