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A television movie based on the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter book series was announced in March 2009, and subsequently cancelled in November 2009.

Announcement[]

In March 2009, IFC Cable network announced an adaption of the series as its first-ever theatrical-length movie production. IFC teamed with Lionsgate for the adaptation. The movie was being adapted by Glen Morgan, with plans to begin filming in the summer of 2009 and release in 2010. IFC targeted the movie to its core base of men ages 18-34.[1]

IFC Now announcement[]

On April 3, 2009, IFC put up an announcement on their website:[2]

We've proud to announce we've greenlit our first ever original telefilm, "Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter," based on Hamilton's series of best-selling paranormal fantasy novels and produced by Lionsgate and After Dark Films. Adapted by Glen Morgan ("X-Files," "Final Destination"), who also serves as executive producer, the movie begins production this summer.

Mixing mystery, fantasy, and horror, the film will center on the character of Anita Blake, a street-savvy, down-to-earth vampire hunter with a lousy dating life and a penchant for bringing dead people back to life. Blake also works as a police consultant investigating preternatural crimes. Tough, sexy and independent, Blake battles the supernatural as she attempts to solve a variety of paranormal mysteries, come to terms with her own abilities and navigate a complex string of romantic and political relationships which include a master vampire and an Alpha werewolf.

"I'm thrilled to be bringing my characters and world to television for the first time," stated Hamilton. "After Dark Films, Lionsgate and IFC all push the boundaries on film. I push the boundaries on paper. I can't wait to see what we can create together."

Press release[]

The full press release was posted by series author Laurell K. Hamilton to her blog on April 1, 2009:[3][4]

IFC tv GREENLIGHTS ORIGINAL EVENT TELEFILM “LAURELL K. HAMILTON’S ANITA BLAKE: VAMPIRE HUNTER” FROM LIONSGATE

Film Based on the #1 Best-Selling Novels To Air on IFC tv Summer 2010

NEW YORK, NY – March 31, 2009 – IFC tv announced today it has greenlit its first original event telefilm, “Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter,” based on Hamilton’s series of best-selling paranormal fantasy novels and produced by Lionsgate and After Dark Films. Adapted by Glen Morgan ("X-Files," "Final Destination"), who also serves as executive producer, the movie begins production this summer.

Rights were acquired from Hamilton’s agent, Merrilee Heifetz of Writers House. There are currently 16 books in the series, all published in the US by Penguin Group (USA), with more than 6 million copies in print worldwide. Seven of the novels have made the New York Times Bestseller list and the most recent one, "Blood Noir," debuted at #1 on the list on June 15, 2008. The next highly anticipated Anita Blake novel, SKIN TRADE, hits shelves June 2, 2009.

Mixing mystery, fantasy, and horror, the film will center on the character of Anita Blake, a street-savvy, down-to-earth vampire hunter with a lousy dating life and a penchant for bringing dead people back to life. Blake also works as a police consultant investigating preternatural crimes. Tough, sexy and independent, Blake battles the supernatural as she attempts to solve a variety of paranormal mysteries, come to terms with her own abilities, and navigate a complex string of romantic and political relationships which include a master vampire and an Alpha werewolf.

“I’m thrilled to be bringing my characters and world to television for the first time,” stated Hamilton. “After Dark Films, Lionsgate and IFC all push the boundaries on film. I push the boundaries on paper. I can’t wait to see what we can create together.”

“This unique partnership with Lionsgate, After Dark, Laurell and Glen continues IFC tv's commitment to provide groundbreaking content that you cannot find anywhere else” said Evan Shapiro, president of IFC tv and Sundance Channel. "Anita Blake on IFC will offer a fresh and unique take on the genre; the type of approach that defines our brand."

“‘Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter’ marks the first time in IFC tv’s history that we have created a fictional feature film for the network. IFC is appealing to its core base of men ages 18-34 who are looking for vampire content. The popularity of the network in this demographic indicates that there is a clear demand for films that delve into provocative topics and nothing is more classically provocative than vampire lore” said Jennifer Caserta, EVP and general manager of IFC tv. “Anita Blake fits perfectly with our successful original programming.”

“Laurell has created a fascinating heroine in Anita Blake and we quickly recognized the onscreen potential for this vivid character,” said Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate’s president of television programming and production. “We have an outstanding creative team and are excited to be moving forward with IFC, which will allow us to fully explore the complex world of Laurell’s highly intriguing and erotically charged novels.”

“We are excited to have acquired this successful property, and to have partnered with IFC and Lionsgate. We look forward to bringing “Anita Blake” to the small screen,” stated After Dark Films’ Courtney Solomon. “I am confident that television viewers will be captivated by Laurell K. Hamilton’s spellbinding stories, much as readers have devoured the popular novel series.”

Executive producers are Courtney Solomon ("Dungeons and Dragons," "An American Haunting," "Captivity, "After Dark’s Horrorfest") and Glen Morgan ("X-Files," "Final Destination"). Laurell K. Hamilton, Jonathan D. Green and Stephanie Caleb are co-executive producers. IFC executive producers on this film include Debbie DeMontreux, senior vice president, original programming, Jennifer Caserta, executive vice president and general manager and Evan Shapiro, president of IFC tv and Sundance channel.

Commentary[]

"The popularity of the network in this demographic indicates that there is a clear demand for films that delve into provocative topics, and nothing is more classically provocative than vampire lore," said Jennifer Caserta, executive vp and GM of IFC. "Anita Blake fits perfectly with our successful original programming."[1]

"Laurell has created a fascinating heroine in Anita Blake, and we quickly recognized the onscreen potential for this vivid character," said Kevin Beggs, Lionsgate president of TV programming and production. “We have an outstanding creative team and are excited to be moving forward with IFC, which will allow us to fully explore the complex world of Laurell's highly intriguing and erotically charged novels."[1]

On April 1, 2009, author Laurell K. Hamilton confirmed the adaptation in a blog post:[3]

Yes, it’s true. We did a deal for a television movie of Anita Blake. I know it’s April Fool’s Day, but no fooling, it’s official and announced, and we can now confirm that the deal is done and the project is being worked on, as I type this. We are a go.

Am I excited? Yes, and hell, yes!

Cancellation[]

On November 22, 2009, Laurell K. Hamilton confirmed on her blog that the adaptation had been cancelled.[5]

External links[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Hollywood Reporter: IFC adapting ‘Anita Blake’ books by AP, James Hibberd. March 31, 2009. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  2. IFC Now: IFC's First Original Movie! Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter (archived) by IFC. April 3, 2009.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Laurell K. Hamilton in her blog: No Foolin’ Its for real. April 1, 2009. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  4. Archive.org: original PDF archived.
  5. Laurell K. Hamilton in her blog: The TV Show On IFC is Not Happening. November 22, 2009. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
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