Par sends 'Interman' to Hurd's Valhalla

Co. in post-prod'n on 'Hulk,' pre-prod'n on 'Punisher'

By DAVE MCNARY, CATHY DUNKLEY

Hurd

HOLLYWOOD -- Paramount Pictures has paid mid-six figures to option the rights to graphic novel "The Interman" for producer Gale Anne Hurd's Valhalla Motion Pictures to produce.

Book, penned by illustrator-turned-author Jeff Parker, is the story of Interman, the lone creation of a Cold War laboratory, who is able to rewrite his DNA and adapt instantly to his surroundings. On the run from NATO assassins who want to erase all evidence of his existence, the Interman then discovers there may be others like him.

Valhalla senior veep of production Jeff Davidson brought the project into Valhalla and will co-produce with Hurd. Parker collaborator Ford Lytle Gilmore of production/management shingle Illuminati Entertainment also will co-produce.

Self-financed Valhalla is in post-production on Ang Lee's "The Hulk" for Universal and Marvel, and is in pre-production on Marvel property "The Punisher" for Artisan Entertainment and director Jonathan Hensleigh.

Valhalla is developing four other projects for Par -- "The Boston Stranglers," with Carl Franklin attached to direct; "Life During Wartime," with helmer Phillip Noyce attached; "Three Gun Blues," penned by Josh Olson; and "Aeon Flux," with MTV Films.

The Brant Rose Agency repped Parker and Gilmore in the deal.