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Waterman Entertainment has acquired the film rights to Strikeforce: Morituri, the late-1980s Marvel sci-fi comic, TheWrap reports. Peter B. Gillis, who co-created the series, will write the screenplay with Connor Cochran.
Debuting in 1986, Strikeforce: Morituri is set on an Earth invaded by aliens intent on stripping the planet of its resources. In hopes of stopping the extraterrestrial conquest, a scientist develops a process that will imbue humans with extraordinary abilities, effectively creating a super-powered planetary defense. There’s one drawback, though: Empowered humans dies within a year.
The comic’s title is derived from the Latin phrase “Morituri te salutamus” (“We who are about to die salute you!”), a salute that, at least according to legend, was shouted by Roman gladiators when they entered the arena. The series was published until 1989, passing from Gillis and co-creator Brent Anderson to writer James Hudnall and a handful of artists that included Whilce Portacio and Mark Bagley.
Waterman plans to begin filming in December with Jeff Beard producing.