Southland Tales to Include Graphic Novel

Old news - I'm just catching up - but any movie that unites The Rock, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Stifler in a musical about the collapse of America directed by the guy who wrote/directed Donnie Darko AND now will have a six hundred page graphic novel preceding it is gonna have to be awesome or I'm just going to jump off a building.

Before Southland Tales

Donnie Darko director scribes epic prequel graphic novels for upcoming film.

by Hilary Goldstein

July 26, 2005 - Richard Kelly, director of Donnie Darko, announced today that he would be writing a series of graphic novel prequels prior to the release of his next movie, Southland Tales. Beginning in the first quarter of 2006, six 100-page graphic novels, all written by Kelly, will be released. The comics lead directly into the film, which serves as the final act.

Darko Entertainment, Graphitti Designs and View Askew Productions are working together to publish the graphic novels. No artist has been announced.

If you're wondering why View Askew is involved, Kevin Smith is one of the stars of the film's ensemble cast. He plays Simon Theory, a legless Iraqi war vet. Joining Smith on screen are Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Seann William Scott and Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Set in the future -- 2008 Los Angeles, to be exact -- Southland Tales examines an America about to collapse under social and economic hardships. It looks to be just as bizarre as Kelly's best known work, Donnie Darko.

"I am thrilled to have Kevin Smith as both an actor in Southland Tales as well as having his involvement in the prequel graphic novels for Southland Tales. The novels will give the die-hard fans more of an understanding of the back-story leading up the film's theatrical release," said Kelly.

Southland Tales is expect to begin principal photography on August 15, 2005.