A high-profile package is currently in development involving Margot Robbie and Olivia Wilde adapting a '90s comic book character created by Rob Liefeld, the mastermind behind Deadpool. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Wilde is set to direct an adaptation of the '90s comic book Avengelyne, a character created by Liefeld, renowned for his creation of Deadpool.
Robbie's production company, LuckyChap, which includes Tom Ackerley and Josey McNamara, will produce the project in collaboration with Simon Kinberg, known for his work on X-Men and Deadpool films. The plan is to pitch the project to various studios and streaming platforms in the upcoming weeks.
Avengelyne, created by Liefeld and Cathy Christian in 1995, follows an angel battling evil forces, encountering monsters and demons along the way. The character, a fallen angel sent to Earth, is tasked with finding and safeguarding The One, a crucial figure in protecting humanity from evil. Avengelyne drew inspiration from Ben Dunn's comic Warrior Nun Areala and was featured in two crossover series in 1996. A new Avengelyne series debuted at Image Comics in 2011 under the supervision of Mark Poulton and Owen Gieni.
Previous attempts to bring Avengelyne to the big screen include a 2013 collaboration between Liefeld and Gina Carano, and Paramount Pictures acquiring film rights in 2016 with Akiva Goldsman attached to produce. With those rights now expired, LuckyChap and the new team are seizing the opportunity to revive the project.
Robbie's involvement is solely as a producer, with no plans to star in the film. LuckyChap, fresh off the success of Barbie, which grossed $1.4 billion worldwide and received eight Academy Award nominations, is also set to produce a Sims film with Kate Herron directing and co-writing alongside Briony Redman.
Wilde, known primarily as an actress, made her directorial debut with the critically acclaimed Booksmart in 2019, followed by the 2022 thriller Don't Worry Darling starring Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, and Chris Pine. Despite behind-the-scenes drama, the film was a financial success, grossing $87.6 million worldwide on a reported $35 million budget.
