Warner picks a 'Bone'

Studio nabs rights to comic book

By DIANE GARRETT

'Bone'

Warner has scooped up rights to Jeff Smith's comicbook series "Bone" for Dan Lin to produce through his lot-based shingle.

Deal is a mid-six-figure option against seven figures for purchase. Property, described as Bugs Bunny meets "The Lord of the Rings," likely will be developed as a CG toon for a broad family aud, but could turn into a live-action pic, depending on the director it eventually attracts.

Comicbook's roots date back to 1991, when Smith began self-publishing it. In 2005, Scholastic, looking for another fantasy hit to follow "Harry Potter," began issuing the saga.

First installment, called "Out From Boneville," starts with three Bone cousins lost and separated in the desert; eventually, they reunite on a farmstead run by Gran'Ma Ben and her granddaughter, Thorn. In subsequent installments, the Bone cousins slay dragons, clash with rat creatures and hunt for treasure. Publisher has sold north of a million copies of the series, with the last two of nine installments yet to bow.

Jon Silk, VP of production for Lin Pictures, brought the project into the shingle and will co-produce it. Smith will serve as exec producer.

Lin, a former production exec for Warner, is shepherding several projects for the studio, including "Justice League" and the American remake of South Korean hit "The Chaser" (Daily Variety, March 7).