While a live-action film is currently in the works in the manga series’ home country Japan, Amazon has begun developing a live-action series adaptation of Promised Neverland with Masi Oka (Heroes) and Rodney Rothman (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), according to Deadline.
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Originally written by Kaiu Shirai and beginning its run in December 2016, the story is set in 2045 and follows a group of intelligent orphans, led by 11-year-old Emma, at an idyllic, self-contained orphanage entitled Grace Field house, where they are allotted complete freedom except venturing beyond the grounds or the gate. However after one orphan is sent away to be adopted, Emma and her friends learn of a dark truth and must find a way to escape before time runs out for them all.
The pilot for the adaptation is set to be penned by Spider-Verse production consultant Meghan Malloy, while Rothman is set to direct and executive produce alongside Okay, Roy Lee and Miri Yoon of Vertigo Entertainment, which is attached to produce the project alongside Fox 21 and Amazon Studios.
The Promised Neverland marks the latest English adaptation of a Japanese work from Oka, who produced Netflix’s film adaptation of the acclaimed manga series Death Note, as well as helping develop a series adaptation of Kurumi Inui’s Repeat for CBS. It also marks the latest in a string of Japanese source materials getting the live-action treatment, with Cowboy Bebop and One Piece prepping to start filming after the former was halted due to John Cho’s knee injury on set while the latter is waiting for the global quarantine to lift.
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Rothman made his feature directorial debut as the co-director and co-writer of the Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, with previous writing credits including the 2013 sports comedy Grudge Match and hit action comedy 22 Jump Street.
