MGM has acquired the film rights to the Devil's Due comic Mercy Sparx, as reported by Deadline.
Created by Josh Blaylock and Matt Merhoff, Mercy Sparx follows the titular demon, who is sent from Earth to Hell to complete a mission. While on Earth, Mercy suffers an existential crisis and begins to see the shades of gray in the war between Heaven and Hell. In the original comic, she works as a double agent for Heaven.
Blaylock will serve as a producer on the film, alongside Assemble Media's Scott Veltri and Jack Heller. Heller developed the script, with Nick Shafir writing the theatrical version. Shafir's script has drawn comparison to 2005's Constantine, which starred Keanu Reeves as the infamous occult detective. Alex Heineman and Andrew Rona will also produce the film through The Picture Company. The Picture Company's work includes the upcoming thriller Gunpowder Milkshake, which stars Karen Gillan of Doctor Who and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Devil's Due has published several other creator-owned titles, including Scorch and Yumiko: Curse of the Merch Girl. It has also produced comics through other companies, including Darkstalkers and Street Fighter with UDON. Its biggest claim to fame is the Hack/Slash series created by Tim Seeley. Hack/Slash follows the adventures of Cassie Hack, who hunts slashers with her partner Vlad.
Source: Deadline