dj2

Enter another video game property staking its claim on the film front by way of Compulson Games’s 2016 hit game, We Happy Few. Producing are Paul Brooks’ Gold Circle Films and dj2 Entertainment’s Dmitri M. Johnson and Dan Jevons, with dj2’s Stephan Bugaj executive producing according to a press announcement that went out on Tuesday.

Writers are now being sought for to adapt the film; Set in an alternative, dystopian, semi-futuristic 1960’s London in the fictional, isolated town of Wellington Wells, one of its residents ceases his intake of a government-imposed drug that induces happiness, drawing him out as public enemy number one and forcing him on a quest to uncover a deadly and dangerous conspiracy that dates as far back as World War II; Think the Cornetto trilogy set in a darker millieu but without the beer, robots or flippant action movie references.

dj2 reportedly saw the video game before its release last summer to fan and critical acclaim, and was immediately drawn to its unique world, aesthetic and characters. Per this week’s release, Guillaume Provost, head of the game’s developer, Compulsion Games, says, “Dmitri, Stephan and Dan approached us enthusiastically and with really solid ideas about how to adapt our game to film, while retaining its menace, dark humor, and central themes. We’re gratified at how they and Gold Circle have taken to the project.”

“Our commitment,” says Johnson, “is to make a movie that remains true to and expands on its great source material.” Gold Circle’s Paul Brooks adds, “As a Brit and a fan of shows like The Prisoner, the game’s social satire resonated with me. I wanted this project immediately and am truly pleased a relationship with dj2 and their Business Affairs exec, Howard Bliss, helped make that possible.”

Attorney Eric Suddleson of Felker Toczek Gellman Suddleson LLP represents both dj2 and Compulsion Games.

Santa Monica-based dj2 is also behind the forthcoming adaptations of Donnie Yen starrer, Sleeping Dogs, in addition to co-producing the Sonic the Hedgehog which has Jeff Fowler directing and Deadpool helmer Tim Miller executive producing.

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