Vampire Secret Agents

[Blowfeld]

From IGN
Dracula + James Bond = possible movie win.
May 18, 2010

by Phil Pirrello

We wish we came up with this premise because then we'd be potentially swimming in oceans of cash: Hollywood is developing a movie based on a book about a vampire-turned-super spy for the U.S. Government, according to our fellow movie fans at The Hollywood Reporter's HeatVisionBlog.

Producer Lucas Foster (Mr. and Mrs. Smith) optioned the novel Blood Oath and its in-process sequel, Black Site, from author Christopher Farnsworth.

Blood Oath follows Nathaniel Cade, a James Bond-ish vampire, captured during the Civil War, who is forced to swear an oath to serve the government, starting with Andrew Johnson's presidency. Since then, this Vampire 007 has served in the Secret Service for every U.S. President.

The film will feature Cade paired with a new human handler (think Giles) as he finds himself in a plot involving a monstrous new form of biological weaponry.

So to break this down for you: Someone read Hellboy, watched Jack Bauer, Jason Bourne and Bond, and thought, "Gee, I like money. I'd really like to get lots of said money." Then put some fangs on his cool-sounding hero and is now just waiting for the cash delivery trucks to come.

Scripts for both Oath and Site will be developed concurrently, and hopefully we'll see this movie in theaters within the next two years.

[Blowfeld]

empire online
Warp Films Swears A Blood Oath
Vampire secret agent novel bought
Source: Heat Vision Blog
Warp Films Swears A Blood Oath

How many more twists on the vampire genre can filmmakers find? Given that the undead creatures of the night have been around for ages, the answer appears to be: plenty. So it should be no surprise that a production company has snapped up the rights to Christopher Farnsworth’s thriller novel Blood Oath, which sees a fanged type serving on the secret service.

The book, which arrives in US bookstores today, features Nathaniel Cade, a bloodsucker captured by the Union Army shortly after the Civil War. In exchange for sparing him, Nathaniel swears loyalty to then-President Andrew Johnson and spends the next 150 years protecting the Commander in Chief.

According to the Heat Vision Blog, Warp Films founder Lucas Foster, who last produced Law Abiding Citizen, has snapped up both Oath and follow-up tome Black Site, which Farnsworth is still busy scribbling. The first book finds Nathaniel assigned a new human partner/handler and set to investigate a deadly plot involving a terrible biological weapon.

"It’s a big idea and it’s an idea that in the wrong hands could have been cheesy," Foster says. "Chris did a very good job of making the reader, and me, buy it. It’s the right tone between thriller and improbable fantasy."

A vampire James Bond? In the service of the US President? Bet the Tea Party folk would love that one. In fact, a few probably already think Farnsworth’s book belongs in the non-fiction section.
James White

[Blowfeld]

HeatVisionBlog
May 17, 2010
Vampire action novel 'Blood Oath' getting movie treatment (exclusive)

Blood_oath_cover Lucas Foster and his Warp Films have picked up the rights to “Blood Oath,” a vampire action novel written by Christopher Farnsworth, with the aim of fast-tracking a feature franchise about a vampire secret agent.

A mix of political techno thrills and supernatural action, “Oath” centers on a vampire captured by the U.S. Army just after the Civil War who is forced to swear an oath to President Andrew Johnson and has protected the presidency in the Secret Service for nearly 150 years.

In “Oath,” the vampire, named Nathaniel Cade, is paired with a new human handler and finds himself embroiled in a plot involving a monstrous new form of biological weapon with a connection to the White House.

The deal comes just as the book, from Penguin/Putnam, hits stores Tuesday.

“It always starts with the character for me,” said Foster, the producer behind thrillers “Law Abiding Citizen” and “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” “Cade has an amazing history, a great attitude and a great set of powers. He is a complete movie figure.”

There is no lack of vampire projects circulating in Hollywood these days, and the idea of a vampire James Bond could easily be seen as too high-concept. But the book has been getting good reviews — it bucks vampire fatigue by focusing on action and bringing in different supernatural creatures — and Foster credits Farnsworth for pulling it off.

Lucas_foster_ “It’s a big idea and it’s an idea that in the wrong hands could have been cheesy,” Foster said. “He did a very good job of making the reader, and me, buy it. It’s the right tone between thriller and improbable fantasy.”

Foster has picked up the rights for “Oath” and its follow-up, “Black Site,” which Farnworth is still writing, and will develop scripts for them simultaneously. Farnsworth will work with a screenwriter to help guide the look and feel of the scripts and receive an exec producer credit. Justin Manask, who reps Farnsworth via the Office of Literary Adaptation, also will be involved on the producing side.

“I’m using my own money so I’m pretty careful with the things I develop, and I tend to make the things I develop,” Foster said. “I want to get a fast start, and I’m hoping to get this in production next year.”

[Blowfeld]

That's the full run on the Vampire Bond Book/Film. Maybe they will bring back Another Way to Die for Blood Oath

[FormerBondFan]

I would see this if it's made.

[Dr. No]

Thnaks for posting it Blofeld. Sounds interesting but like Katied said it will be very good or very bad.

[FormerBondFan]

I hope the original author is involved.

[katied]

The market is frigging FULL of thse books. It's not just young adult Twilight ripoffs(and there are plenty of those!)but other literature too(one called Abe Lincoln, Vampire Hunter come right to mind) It's time to give the zombie.vampire books a rest.

[Omega]

I would go to see it. Done right it could be great and it is a cool concept.

[katied]

The problem is, most vampire movies are cheesy(notable exception:Let The Right One in )

[Kristatos]

True Blood and Being Human are quite enough vampires for me. I was tempted to watch Twilight purely for the Rifftrax commentary (I've seen extracts and they're hilarious), but I'm told even the Satellite of Love crew can't make it bearable for an entire feature-length film.

[Dr. No]

the market is over saturated with Vampires that what happens when a hit movie comes along everyone tires to imitate it. Although I remember a big vampire fade when I was a teenager too so maybe it is a reocuring theme driven by teenagers.

[TheWorldIsNotEnough]

Sounds like it could be so bad it's good.

[Omega]

Sounds like it could be so bad it's good.

May be how they sell it.

[FormerBondFan]

If vampires are overrated, why not adapt Michael Jackson's Thriller into a feature film?