For the last few weeks, director Darren Aronofsky has been linked to the upcoming "X-Men Origins: Wolverine 2" starring Hugh Jackman. And while Jackman has seemingly confirmed Aronofsky's involvement, another project has materialized on the horizon.
Aronofsky has agreed to direct and develop "Machine Man" for Mandalay Entertainment, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The story states that Aronofsky is waiting for his "Wolverine 2" deal to close and will likely make "Machine Man" his next project after "Wolverine 2."
It's important to note that this "Machine Man" is not the character of the same name created by Jack Kirby for Marvel Comics. Instead, "Machine Man" is based on the latest novel by Max Barry, an acclaimed Australian author.
"Machine Man" is described as a "cybernetic thriller" and follows "a gadget geek and engineer" who becomes obsessed with replacing his body parts with artificially made upgrades which he designed himself. However, he soon finds that his actions have drawn the attention of someone else who may have sinister motivations for the upgrades.
Barry is currently posting one page per day from the "Machine Man" novel on his website prior to its publication in 2011. Some of his previous novels include "Syrup," "Jennifer Government" and "Company."
For the film adaptation, Aronofsky will be joined by screenwriter Mark Heyman, who worked with the director on "The Wrestler" and the upcoming supernatural drama "Black Swan" starring Natalie Portman. The early critical reactions to "Black Swan" have made Aronofsky highly sought after in Hollywood.
Aronofsky had previously been tied to a remake of "Robocop," which similarly married man and machine. However, he was rumored to have left that project after the studio's insistence that it be filmed in 3-D.
