Dark 'Lio' leaps to screen

Comicstrip to be made into live-action feature

By MICHAEL FLEMING

'Lio'

Producer David Kirschner has made a deal with Universal Press Syndicate to turn the macabre comicstrip "Lio" into a live-action feature.

Kirschner, whose credits include the "American Tail" franchise, "Curious George" and the Chucky horror pics, will produce the movie with Corey Sienega, his partner in such films as "Miss Potter," "Frailty" and the upcoming John Cusack starrer "Martian Child" for New Line.

Created by Mark Tatulli, the strip launched in 2006 and has been a fast-riser for the syndicate. It revolves around an odd, spiky-haired kid with a coterie of creepy friends, including a giant squid and the grim reaper.

"I've always had an affinity for characters like the Addams Family and Edward Scissorhands, who are seemingly dark but humorous and thoughtful at the same time," Kirschner said.

Bridget McMeel and John Glynn, who run Amuse, the film and television division of Universal Press Syndicate, will exec produce the film.