David Wilkins and Kevin Munroe’s El Zombo Fantasma, first published by Dark Horse Comics in 2005, will be coming to the big screen as a live-action movie produced by Death Ray Films and Maya Entertainment. Munroe will write and direct, with Chris Patton and Robert Sanchez producing. Wilkins and Munroe will co-produce. Mike Richardson will executive produce for Dark Horse. Jose Martinez and Kellvin Chavez will produce—along with Academy Award nominee Moctesuma Esparza, who will executive produce—for Maya Entertainment. Death Ray and Maya are also planning a follow-on animated series.
The story follows “the mysterious murder of the world’s most notorious Mexican wrestler who bargains his way out of an eternity of fiery damnation by returning to Los Angeles to play guardian angel to a troublesome teen, Belisa Montoya. He soon discovers that the teen is not what she seems and that their fates have been intertwined for centuries.”
Munroe said, “Zombo started years ago as just a geeky idea between two friends who worked at the same video game company. But Dave and I always knew that the property had a broader appeal than just its publishing roots, and now we’ll see it finally reach an entirely new audience. I’m thrilled to be a part of creating this new breed of superhero for the big screen.”
Sanchez added “As a Cuban-American in this industry, I see El Zombo as a unique property that will not only showcase Latinos but also appeal to all audiences. It has action, romance, redemption, and wrestling, it’s a Latin Hellboy. It’s the prefect date movie!”
Chavez noted “El Zombo is an extremely cool superhero and it’s tremendous, pile-driving fun. As a fan of wrestling, I used to watch ‘Santo, el Enmascarado de Plata’ one of the most famous Mexican free wrestlers, so I was excited by this project.”
And Martinez, speaking for Maya, said “We are excited to work with Death Ray and Dark Horse on El Zombo as it furthers our goal of bringing Latino themes and Latino talent to the commercial market. We plan to blow this out in a big way so that everyone can enjoy this awesome idea.”
Death Ray Films is a new entertainment production company formed by Munroe, Patton, and Sanchez, who are currently producing War Monkeys. The trio have experience in both comic books and the film industry.
Maya Entertainment, created by award winning producer Moctesuma Esparza, is “a vertically integrated company and is the only production/distribution/exhibition entity in the United States, dedicated to the constantly growing US Latino Market.”