IFC tv (the Independent Film Channel) yesterday greenlit production of its first “original event telefilm”, Laurell K.Hamilton’s Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter. The movie will be based on Hamilton’s series of paranormal fantasy novels, and will be produced by Lionsgate and After Dark Films. Glen Morgan (The X-Files, Final Destination) will adapt the story, and will executive produce the film with Courtney Solomon (Captivity, Dungeons and Dragons). Hamilton’s agent, Merrilee Heifetz of Writers House handled the deal.
IFC says the film will mix mystery, fantasy, and horror, and “will center on the character of Anita Blake, a street-savvy, down-to-earth vampire hunter with a lousy dating life and a penchant for bringing dead people back to life. Blake also works as a police consultant investigating preternatural crimes. Tough, sexy and independent, Blake battles the supernatural as she attempts to solve a variety of paranormal mysteries, come to terms with her own abilities, and navigate a complex string of romantic and political relationships which include a master vampire and an Alpha werewolf.”
Hamilton said “I’m thrilled to be bringing my characters and world to television for the first time. Lionsgate, After Dark Films, and IFC all push the boundaries on film. I push the boundaries on paper. I can’t wait to see what we can create together.”
IFC President Evan Shapiro said “This unique partnership… continues IFC tv’s commitment to provide groundbreaking content that you cannot find anywhere else. Anita Blake on IFC will offer a fresh and unique take on the genre; the type of approach that defines our brand.”
IFC Executive Vice President Jennifer Caserta said “Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter marks the first time in IFC’s history that we have created a fictional feature film for the network. IFC is appealing to its core base of men ages 18-34 who are looking for vampire content. The popularity of the network in this demographic indicates that there is a clear demand for films that delve into provocative topics and nothing is more classically provocative than vampire lore.”
The first book in the series, Guilty Pleasures, was published in 1993. There are currently 16 Anita Blake novels, and book 17, Skin Trade, scheduled to be published by Berkley on 2 June 2009.