The animated feature film based on Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti's

"Ash" comic is once again showing signs of life. The comic book,

published under the pair's now-defunct Event Comics shingle, was optioned over

five years ago for development as a film for Dreamworks.

Now, a source at Mad Chance,

the production house behind the development effort

tells us a new screenwriter was recently hired write a new script for

"Ash."

Newcomer Todd Galicano will be penning the latest draft of the movie. Our

understanding is that Galicano will start fresh on the project. The script is

expected to be completed soon.

"Ash" tells the story of a Chicago fire fighter who, after being

trapped in a mysterious blaze, finds he can transform into fire-wielding

warrior. Fire fighters and super heroes are popular subject in the movie biz

making "Ash" a hot commodity. 

Quesada, who fans know is now Editor-in-Chief at Marvel comics, offered these

comments about the news:

"As is evident by the amount of time that has gone by since the initial

'Ash' deal and now, the project has been in a sort of limbo. We've always felt

strongly about the 'Ash' concept and I've always been a firm believer as I'm

sure Jimmy has that it would eventually get kick started again. The idea is just

too cool! The way I see it the project is at Dreamworks and that means that it

couldn't be in better hands and I'm sure once things get moving on it again

Jimmy and I will be in the mix in some form or fashion."

The latest cinematic offering from Mad Chance was the quirky Chuck Barris

biopic "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," a film definitely worth

checking out.

Keep checking C2F/CBR News for more "Ash" updates as the project

progresses.