Olivia Wilde to direct ‘Avengelyne’ Comic Book Adaption

Wilde and Robbie are looking for a home for the movie which will be based on ‘Deadpool’ creator Rob Liefeld’s character, an avenging angel who fights evil.

(Left) Olivia Wilde attends the Academy’s 2019 Annual Governors Awards in The Ray Dolby Ballroom on Sunday, October 27, 2019, in Hollywood, CA. Credit/Provider: Troy Harvey / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Center) Rob Liefeld’s 'Avengelyne'. Photo: Image Comics. (Right) Margot Robbie at The 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024.Credit/Provider: Nick Agro ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Preview:

Olivia Wilde is aboard to direct an adaptation of Rob Liefeld’s ‘Avengelyne’.
‘Barbie’s Margot Robbie is producing via her LuckyChap company.
The movie will be shopped to studios and screeners.

Here’s a compelling package that will soon be looking to find some support. Olivia Wilde, the director of ‘Booksmart’ and ‘Don’t Worry Darling’, is aiming to hop on the superhero genre train, signing on –– at least per The Hollywood Reporter –– to direct an adaptation of Rob Liefeld’s ‘Avengelyne’ character.

And if that wasn’t enough, Wilde has the backing of Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap company, which, let’s not forget, most recently brought us the mega-hit and Oscar-winning ‘Barbie’. While Robbie isn’t currently attached to star (she already has her iconic comic book role in Harley Quinn, don’t forget) she may end up taking a role.

What’s the story of ‘Avengelyne’?

Rob Liefeld’s 'Avengelyne'. Photo: Image Comics.

Avengelyne as a character debuted in 1995 and was co-created by ‘Deadpool’s Rob Liefeld alongside Cathy Christian and Tony Lobito.

She’s an angel who fights the forces of evil and often finds herself face-to-face with demons and monsters. She was the most feared warrior in Heaven’s Warhost, having single-handedly broken into Pandemonium, the outer fortress of Hell, to confront the Devil himself.

But now, she finds herself a fallen angel, banished from Heaven by God after being tricked into questioning his love for humans. Stripped of all her angelic abilities other than her great strength and her blood, which, once extracted from her body, could be used as a weapon or a miracle once empowered by quoting verses from the Bible, Avengelyne uses her powers to fight demons on Earth and is being groomed to be humankind’s last hope in a coming Armageddon.

Here’s what Liefeld has said about her in the past:

“Avengelyne resonated so powerfully with the audience because her story of redemption is one that is so relatable. A fallen angel, sentenced to redeem herself by serving humanity, Earth is a foreign environment to her, she must adapt in order to save herself as well as mankind. Her dilemma provides humor amidst the larger plot engine driving her journey.”

Who else is involved with ‘Avengelyne’?

'Invasion' series creator Simon Kinberg.

Alongside Robbie, the project has Simon Kinberg, no stranger to superhero movies himself, attached as a producer via his Genre Films company.

And there is reportedly a well-known writer making a deal to crank out the script, though their identity is unknown right now.

What’s next for ‘Avengelyne’?

Rob Liefeld’s 'Avengelyne'. Photo: Image Comics.

According to the Reporter’s story, the project will be taken out soon to gauge interest from studios and streamers. Given the talent involved (especially the ‘Barbie’ connection), we’d expect this to find a home relatively quickly.

The only issue might be the creeping feel of superhero fatigue, and female-focused genre titles such as ‘Madame Web’ underperforming at the box office.