Brandon Routh To Star In Dylan Dog Comic Book Adaptation, Kevin Munroe To Direct

We haven't yet received clarification regarding the apparent removal of Brandon Routh's vampire role in The Informers, but Bloody Disgusting reports that the Superman Returns actor is a lock for the lead role in an adaptation of the supernatural comic book Dylan Dog. Director Kevin Munroe, who helmed the rather abysmal TMNT for Imagi, has apparently left the animation company and Weinstein Co.'s Gatchaman to envision a live-action feature based on this Italian comic. Dark Horse Comics brought an English version of the title to the States beginning in 1999.

First impression? The film, which begins shooting in July, might share some similarity with Constantine, in that the comic revolves around a loner paranormal investigator (zombies, Jack the Ripper-types, strange portals) who has an eccentric litany of personal troubles (hopeless romantic, former alcoholic, various phobias). Many of Dog's cases turn up a human underbelly rather than spooky kookiness appropriate for Coast to Coast AM. This will mark the second time that Dylan Dog has made his way to the screen; he appeared in alter-ego form in the likable 1994 cult film Dellamorte Dellamore aka Cemetery Man starring Rupert Everett (who is said to have originally inspired the character's look).

Personally, I'm a sucker for this kind of premise like I am for a raunchy road movie. And Routh deserves a cool rebound after scoring one of American cinema's mega-star roles only to experience Singer's epic vision hit its mark like a frog with one leg. On the other hand, Munroe still has something to prove. More on this project as it develops...

Discuss: First impressions of a Dylan Dog movie? Fans of the comics, chime in below.