Dilemma, a Los Angeles based Branded Entertainment and Marketing Communications Agency, is expanding its production business into theatrical motion pictures with today’s announcement that it will produce the feature film adaptation of the horror comic Chopper. Company founder and producer J.C. Christofilis has optioned the script from the comic’s creator Martin Shapiro in a deal valued at low-six figures once the film moves into production. The script is essentially a modern spin on the classic “Sleepy Hollow” mythology with storylines revolving around a headless outlaw biker seeking vengeance in the afterlife by killing mortal sinners.
Earlier this year, Dilemma successfully produced and self-distributed an ambitious nine episode web series that introduced prequel storylines intended to set up the feature film material and the concept’s overall mythology. The series starred horror heavyweights Tyler Mane (Michael Myers, Halloween 1,2) and Andrew Bryniarski (Leatherface, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1,2) and generated over 2 million views. The soundtrack also featured heavy-metal luminaries Machine Head, Attika7, Unearth and Ministry.
Christofilis also wrote and directed the series content and commented, “I’m extremely proud and excited that fans have discovered and supported the creation of an original horror icon online. ‘Chopper’ was developed to leverage innovative, transmedia storytelling tactics to create a new horror franchise from scratch by finding and building our audience across multiple platforms. The phenomenal response to the series from both fans and international press has proven the concept’s potential to connect on a broader scale with a feature film that promises to be bigger, badder and bloodier.”
Christofilis added, “I immediately recognized the potential for Martin’s concept to resonate authentically with niche, but passionate fan communities that lover horror, heavy metal, tattoos and bikers. Those were the ‘four-quadrant’ demographics I knew could drive our success. Ultimately, the never-ending viability of the horror genre combined with the exploding interest in shows like ‘Sons of Anarchy’ made my decision to bring our title character to life a no-brainer- pardon the pun.”
Plans call for Mane and Bryniarski to reprise their lead roles in the film and production on the feature is tentatively scheduled for mid-2013.
You can check out the series at ChopperLives.com.
