The team behind the iconic science fiction and fantasy magazine, Heavy Metal, announced Blake Northcott's Arena Mode Saga will be adapted into an upcoming television series.
The publication already optioned the rights for the trilogy and is in the early stages of developing the first book for the small screen, according to Deadline.
"When I started Arena Mode almost a decade ago, I set out to write a novel that had a cinematic feel, blending action, adventure, and a lot of heart," Northcott stated about the books' upcoming adaptation. "I've always envisioned it as a series, so I’m thrilled to be working with Heavy Metal to bring it to the screen."
Heavy Metal CEO Matthew Medney added, "When I met Blake, I was impressed by her ability to envision the scope of her worlds beyond the written word. Her talent for creating incredible science fiction stories is second to none. I am beyond excited to explore the universe that Blake has created and develop Arena Mode as a series"
Arena Mode follows a young man named Matthew Moxon living in a dystopian future in the year 2041. When Moxon learns he has an aggressive brain tumor, he decides to enter a deadly sporting event with the hopes of winning enough money for life-saving surgery. In the deathmatch-style tournament, Moxon is the only competitor without a superpower.
Producer Tommy Coriale also shared his excitement about the series, noting, "The action, scale, and sheer awesomeness of this story are matched up perfectly with grounded, character-driven storytelling. I genuinely cannot wait to get this out to the world."
The Arena Mode Saga was funded by a Kickstarter campaign and became one of the most-backed series of fiction novels ever. In 2013, the first book in the series was nominated for a British Science Fiction Association Best Novel award. In addition to the Arena Mode Saga, Northcott's writing credits include the 2018 magical spy thriller novel The North Valley Grimoire. In 2020, she also contributed to the Catwoman comic book series for DC Comics.
First published in 1977, Heavy Metal is known for its unique mix of dark fantasy, sci-fi and steampunk. In addition to the original illustrated magazine, the brand expanded to a 1981 film titled Heavy Metal, a podcast network and a Magma Comix imprint.
Source: Deadline