Overbrook Entertainment, Sony Pictures Consumer Products, The Random House Publishing Group and Ebury Publishing have announced a collaboration to create a broad line of publishing products set to expand the universe of “After Earth,” the upcoming action adventure film starring Jaden Smith and Will Smith.
“After Earth” is directed by M. Night Shyamalan. The screenplay is by Gary Whitta and Shyamalan, from a story by Will Smith. The producers are Caleeb Pinkett, Will Smith, James Lassiter and Shyamalan.
The program will encompass two novels and multiple digital shorts, along with a single-issue comic, “After Earth: Innocence,” published by the Random House Publishing Group in partnership with Dynamite Entertainment. Set to debut in October 2012, this official prequel comic introduces Cypher and Kitai Raige (played by Will and Jaden Smith in the “After Earth” film), and helps establish the world by covering such incidents as mankind’s exodus from Earth and arrival on Nova Prime, as well as the first contact with a deadly alien species. Artwork is being provided by Beni R. Lobel. An exclusive edition of the comic with an alternate cover by artist Jae Lee will be released at San Diego Comic-Con in July.
Leading up to the film’s release in Summer 2013 will be a prequel novel and an official novelization, as well as a series of digital shorts telling stories set in the world of “After Earth.” Each short will be available on all major e-reading platforms. Details on the content and specific publication dates will be revealed in the coming months, with plans for simultaneous release in the US and the UK.
The novels, comic and digital shorts will be penned by writers including bestselling authors Peter David, Michael Jan Friedman, and Robert Greenberger. All three authors are familiar with the world of “After Earth,” having worked directly with Overbrook Entertainment on various aspects of the “After Earth” franchise universe.
“It’s important to us that the stories we’re helping to shape are in line with the team’s larger vision for the world of ‘After Earth.’ The level of collaboration has been exceptional,” said Keith Clayton, associate publisher of Del Rey Books.
“We believe this is a unique opportunity to bring a franchise to life across different platforms over a period of time, which our partners at Random House have wholeheartedly embraced,” said Gaetano Mastropasqua, head of franchise development at Overbrook Entertainment. “We have created over 1000 years of mythology and family heritage that contribute to the foundation of this new world. Through these platforms both our core fan-base, and those just being introduced to the franchise, are able to explore the ‘After Earth’ universe in depth. Random House is uniquely positioned to help us bring this to life using both their publishing and digital platforms.”
“‘After Earth’ will surely be a hit film, and we can’t wait for San Diego Comic Con, where diehard fans will be attending and the media attention and awareness will help build even more excitement for the comic and movie,” stated Dynamite President and Publisher Nick Barrucci.
About “After Earth”:
- One thousand years after cataclysmic events forced humanity’s escape from Earth, Nova Prime has become mankind’s new home. Legendary General Cypher Raige (played by Will Smith) returns from an extended tour of duty to his estranged family, ready to be a father to his 13-year-old son, Kitai (played by Jaden Smith). When an asteroid storm damages Cypher and Kitai’s craft, they crash-land on a now unfamiliar and dangerous Earth. As his father lies dying in the cockpit, Kitai must trek across the hostile terrain to recover their rescue beacon. His whole life, Kitai has wanted nothing more than to be a soldier like his father. Today, he gets his chance.
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Yay. More money for the Smith family.