(CBR) Update: 7/15/204 11:04 AM PT: Valiant has issued a press release about the current “Archer & Armstrong” film, with further details about its partnership with the Sean Daniel Company. The script by BenDavid Grabinski was fully funded by Valiant Entertainment, similar to Marvel Studios. The press release also included an official synopsis of the film, which follows below.
ARCHER & ARMSTRONG is an action-adventure/buddy comedy colliding a drunk, delinquent immortal who has given up on saving the world and the idealistic young man who needs him for a globetrotting quest to stop history”s oldest conspiracy from toppling modern civilization.
The release also contains comments from Valiant CEO and Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani. “We couldn”t have more apt partners than Sean Daniel — who, as an executive at Universal, shepherded the seminal movies in the genre in “Blues Brothers,” “Midnight Run” and “Animal House” — and BenDavid Grabinski, who just turned in a truly awesome adaptation,” said Valiant CEO & Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani. “We”re bringing the same quality and creativity that established our success in comics to our film and television adaptations. 'Shadowman,' 'Bloodshot,' and 'Archer & Armstrong' are just the beginning.” Additionally, the release confirms that director Matthew Vaughn is officially attached to Sony's “Bloodshot” film with a script by Jeff Wadlow. Vaughn has been rumored since 2010 as being involved with the project, though this is the first official confirmation from Valiant.
On Tuesday, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed recent reports that Valiant Entertainment's “Archer & Armstrong” is under development for a film adaptation. New details state that the Sean Daniel Company — responsible for the upcoming remakes of “Ben Hur” and “The Mummy” — will produce a script by BenDavid Grabinski. Producers include Sean Daniel, Jason Brown and Valiant CEO Dinesh Shamdasani. “There's a reason comic fans have loved 'Archer & Armstrong' and have treasured these characters and their legacy,” Daniel told THR. The Producer also said he was “honored that Valiant would partner with us on this and 'Shadowman' because they're the most unconventional of heroes, and it's that boldness that make us so excited to bring these characters to life.” Although the THR confirmation did not reveal many details about Grabinski's script, early reports indicated that the film would be based on the current modern run by writer Fred Van Lente. Valiant has two other films on its properties in development: “Bloodshot” was optioned by Sony in 2012 based on a script by Jeff Wadlow, and J. Michael Straczynski is set to write a live-action version of “Shadowman,” also produced by the Sean Ryan Company.