EXCLUSIVE: Gladiator and Amistad writer David Franzoni is turning his graphic novel about Alexander the Great into a scripted series.
Franzoni is working with Graphic India and Starlings Television to adapt the upcoming ‘Alexander Immortal‘, which is releasing in 2025.
The graphic novel tells a lesser-known story of the historical legend. Per the synopsis: “Driven by an unyielding ambition, Alexander the Great set out to conquer the known world, his legendary army unstoppable. But as he plunges into the heart of India, a land alive with mystical secrets and fierce warriors, Alexander faces his deadliest challenge. Here, amidst epic battles and ancient wisdom, he discovers that the true conquest is not of empires but of his own soul.
“Alexander The Great defeated every army that opposed him, conquered every city that defied him, yet his most profound struggle was with his own inner darkness,” said Franzoni. “Our graphic novel explores his journey through the challenges of rebellion and self-discovery against the backdrop of ancient India. Even the greatest figures confront their own shadows in the pursuit of redemption and enlightenment.”
Franzoni created and wrote the graphic novel with his son, screenwriter Hudson Franzoni, who are also both developing the series adaptation as showrunners and executive producers. Graphic India Founder and CEO Sharad Devarajan, Starlings CEO Karine Martin, Starlings Television’s Chris Philip and Graphic India’s SVP Live Action, Sarena Khan, are also executive producers.
Franzoni is best known for co-writing and co-producing Ridley Scott’s 2000 film Gladiator, which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and won the Oscar for Best Picture. It made a star out of Russell Crowe and remains a key example of the swords-and-sandals genre. Franzoni was also the writer of the Steven Spielberg film Amistad, which was nominated for four Academy Awards.
“Gladiator remains one of the greatest works of cinema and is a personal inspiration for my own love of the medium,” said Devarajan, whose company has carved out a niche creating action-packed animation out of India. “It’s an incredible honor to work with the Franzonis to bring this unique story of the complex life of one of history’s most defining and enigmatic figures. Alexander the Great changed the world – until India changed him.”
“By approaching Alexander the Great from this unique perspective with the Franzonis and Graphic India, we intend to deliver global broadcasters and streamers an exciting new action-filled scripted series that will resonate with viewers worldwide,” added Starling’s Philip.
The sequel to Gladiator, which Franzoni wrote with John Logan and William Nicholson, is scheduled to release internationally, on November 15 and later in the U.S and Canada on November 22. Pic stars Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn and Pedro Pascal among others.
