Sony Alters Valiant Movie Plans; Harbinger to Release Before Bloodshot

CBR

By Dwight Hill

Published Sep 27, 2016

Sony Pictures has changed its release schedule for the planned series of movies based on Valiant Comics.

Fans anticipating Sony Pictures' movie adaptations of Valiant Comics characters Harbinger and Bloodshot are in for something of a surprise. Though the studio had originally planned to bring "Bloodshot" to the big screen in 2017, with "Harbinger" to follow shortly after that, the release timeline will now see a change.

According to TheWrap, Sony still plans on producing both films, along with three others based on the publishers' character -- however, "Harbinger" will now be the first to release, introducing the central characters, while "Bloodshot" will come out the following year.

Sony recently renewed its option on "Harbinger," and plans to get rolling on the film quickly. This will provide the studio an opportunity to explore other Valiant-owned characters, and introduce them in potential spin-offs.

The films' plots are currently unknown, but they will likely take plenty of cues from their respective comics. Jim Shooter's "Harbinger" followed the exploits of psionic teen hero Peter Stanchek as he masters his powers and runs afoul of the Harbinger Organization, an association of super-powered individuals run by their mysterious and dangerous leader, Toyo Harada.

"Bloodshot," created by Kevin VanHook and Yvel Guichet, follows an amnesiac super-soldier who is genetically enhanced with nanites, courtesy of the shadowy Project Rising Spirit. Without a memory of his past, the super-powered government agent embarks on a journey to discover his origins and exact vengeance upon his enemies.

The two characters will have their origins explored in their respective solo films -- all building to a Valiant-based crossover movie, "Harbinger Wars." No directors or actors have been assigned to either project, though Eric Heisserer will be writing the screenplay for "Harbinger," with Neal Moritz of Orignal Film, Dinesh Shamdasani of Valiant Entertainment, and Andrea Giannetti of Sony as producers.