The 2003 adaptation of Alan Moore's comic book THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN was a legendary misfire. Released to mediocre box office, poor audience and critical reception, and disappointment from fans of the source material, the film soured helmer Stephen Norrington on directing and marked star Sean Connery's retirement from live action performances.
After an abandoned attempt to turn the property into a television series in 2013, 20th Century Fox is planning to give the GENTLEMEN another try on the big screen, with John Davis set to produce. Davis Entertainment's Ira Napoliello and Fox's VP of Production Matt Reilly are overseeing the project.
While not horror in the strictest sense, THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN does feature an ensemble that, sort of like Showtime's PENNY DREADFUL, is made up of Victorian-era literary characters, and features such genre icons as Dracula's Mina Harker, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, Dorian Gray, and the Invisible Man.
The description provided on the LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN Omnibus:
As the twentieth century approaches, there is a need for a new kind of champion – adventurers not bound by the chaste order that characterizes the stagnant Victorian Era. The enigmatic Campion Bond of British Intelligence has begun a recruiting mission, collecting a menagerie of individuals who can be of value to his superiors due to… activities that have forced them beyond the pale.
But as Allan Quatermain, Mina Murray, Captain Nemo, Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde, and Hawley Griffin, the Invisible Man discover, British Intelligence has plans for them that go far beyond mere spying. And if they survive their first test against the devil doctor of Limehouse, they'll have to battle an even stranger menace from the stars!
I didn't dislike the first film version of LXG, as the marketing department shortened the title to, but I wasn't blown away by it, either. As I recall, it was an entertaining distraction for its 110 minutes, but I've never felt the need to revisit it in the twelve years since. I've also never read the comics, but it's certainly a fun, interesting concept. If Fox thinks they can do a better job this time, I say bring it on.
P.S. to Fox: The more you play up the horror elements, the better.
LXG '03's Mina Harker, Peta Wilson
The comment section exists to allow readers to discuss the article constructively and respectfully, focused on the topic at hand.
What’s Not Allowed