Director Ava DuVernay Lands DMZ Comics Adaptation With HBO Max

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay (Selma, A Wrinkle In Time) will be directing a recently announced adaptation of the comic series DMZ for HBO Max that is finally starting to take shape. News of the streaming service--which recently added Conan O'Brien to its roster--is coming via Variety, which is also reporting that the series will be a four-part limited series drama. Roberto Patino, the co-executive producer of Westworld Season 2, will serve as showrunner. Filling out other key roles on the show are stars Rosario Dawson (Sin City, Zombieland: Double Tap) and Benjamin Bratt (Coco, Law & Order).

The comics series, which was originally created in 2005 by a creative team of writer Brian Wood and artist Riccardo Burchielli, chronicled a hypothetical Second American Civil War that turned the island of Manhattan into a demilitarized zone. Only, you know, it was totally speculative. Recast at this particular moment by DuVernay, it should be fascinating and exciting to see what she and Patino come up with.

"I couldn't be more thrilled to bring this epic to the screen with my boundary-pushing partners at WBTV and HBO Max, a sublime cast led by Roasio and Benjamin, and my partner and friend, the inimitable and ever-inspiring Ava DuVernay," said Patino in a statement (via Variety). "DMZ offers up an explosive playground which, more than anything else, exalts the resilience of community and the human spirit. I can't wait to welcome the die-hard fans of the comic books and new viewers alike to this intoxicating, haunting and inspiring world."

DMZ's cast also includes Hoon Lee (Warrior), Freddy Miyares (When They See Us), and Jordan Preston Carter (The Haves And The Have Nots). No debut date has been announced.