The comic book “DMZ” will be adapted by Ava DuVernay with Rosario Dawson attached to star in a limited series headed to HBO Max…
A new comic book adaptation is headed to HBO Max.
On Thursday, the streaming service announced a four-part limited series “DMZ” based on the Vertigo comic book of the same name from Brian Wood and Riccardo Burchielli that ran for 72 issues between 2005 and 2012.
The limited series is being developed by Emmy winner and Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay, who will serve as executive producer with Roberto Patino (“Westworld,” “Sons of Anarchy”) set to write all of the episodes while also working as the showrunner.
Rosario Dawson has also signed onto star in the “DMZ” adaptation alongside Benjamin Bratt in the two lead roles. Additional actors confirmed for the series include Hoon Lee (“Banshee,””Warrior”), Freddy Miyares (“When They See Us,” “The L Word: Generation Q”) and Jordan Preston Carter (“The Haves and the Have Nots”).
Here’s the synopsis for “DMZ,” which takes place during a second Civil War in the United States:
“In the near future, America is embroiled in a bitter civil war, leaving Manhattan a demilitarized zone (DMZ), destroyed and isolated from the rest of the world. Leaping off the pages of the popular comic, “DMZ” chronicles the harrowing journey of fearless and fierce medic Alma Ortega (series star Rosario Dawson), who sets out on a harrowing journey to find the son she lost in the evacuation of New York City at the onset of the conflict.
“Throwing gasoline on the flames of that conflict is Parco Delgado (series star Benjamin Bratt), the popular — and deadly — leader of one of the most powerful gangs in the DMZ. He wants to rule this new world — and will stop at nothing to secure that outcome. In this adrenalized and expansive drama which examines a stark political and cultural divide in American society, Alma must contend with the gangs, militias, demagogues and warlords that control this lawless no man’s land. In doing so, she becomes the unlikely source of what everyone here has lost…hope.”
DuVernay, who is also adapting the DC Comics property “New Gods” into a feature film, will direct the pilot episode of “DMZ.” Production on the “DMZ” limited series is scheduled to begin in early 2021.
