Justin Simien, known for “Haunted Mansion” and “Dear White People,” will direct the adaptation, and Christopher Yost, known for “The Mandalorian” and “Thor: Ragnarok,” will write the screenplay, for “Heist: Or How to Steal a Planet,” a science fiction crime thriller from Vault Comics, for Tommy Oliver’s Confluential Films, the company announced on Thursday.
Tommy Oliver, known for “The Perfect Find” and “Fancy Dance,” is producing for Confluential, an award-winning, Black-owned and Black-founded film, television and documentary production company and financier. Wayne Horton, who brought the project in, is also producing through his production deal with Confluential Films.
The “Heist: Or How to Steal a Planet” comic book, created by writer Paul Tobin and artist Arjuna Susini, is set on the planet Heist, home to billions of the worst criminals in the galaxy. The Pan Galactic government has no idea what to do with the planet, but conman Glane Breld and his band of thieves know exactly what to do with Heist. They’re going to steal it. The story follows Glane on his madcap scheme to pull off the biggest heist in the history of the galaxy.
“I’ve been a fan of Vault for years, and Paul and Arjuna have created something so fun and cool with ‘How to Steal a Planet.,’” Yost said in a statement to The Wrap. “I’m insanely honored and excited to be part of bringing Glane and his crew to the big screen alongside Justin and Tommy.”
Tommy Oliver, Founder & CEO of Confluential Films, added, “Vault’s How to Steal a Planet is just a good time. I can’t imagine a better duo than Justin Simien and Christopher Yost to bring this to the screen, especially as a part of Confluential’s growing slate of tentpole films from creators of color.”
Liliane Bedford, newly hired SVP, Film & TV, will oversee the project for Confluential Films. Damian Wassel and F.J. DeSanto will executive produce for Vault. Simien and Kyle Laursen will executive produce for Culture Machine.
Simien is represented by CAA and Grandview. Yost is represented by Verve and Industry. Vault is represented by UTA, Industry and Weintraub Tobin.
The deal was negotiated by Confluential’s Head of Business and Legal Affairs, Alexa Camarena.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.
