Jonah Hex to be directed by Jimmy Hayward

HORTON HEARS A HEX

It's been reported that the director chosen for the JONAH HEX film adaptation will go to Jimmy Hayward, who directed the animated "Horton Hears a Who!", which grossed $154.5 million at the US domestic boxoffice.

Josh Brolin is attached to star in the film, which previously had Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor ("Crank") on board as directors. The duo, who also wrote the script, bowed out over creative differences in November. The studio, which hopes to put the movie into production in March or April, went on a fast-track search, putting together a short list that included such names as Andy Fickman and McG before narrowing it down to Hayward.

Jonah Hex is a fictional character, a Western comic book anti-hero created by writer John Albano and artist Tony DeZuniga and published by DC Comics. The right side of his face is horribly distinctly scarred. He was an officer for the Confederacy during the American Civil War, fought at Gettysburg and is normally shown wearing a tattered Confederate States Army jacket. Hex is surly and cynical, and is in many ways similar to Clint Eastwood's Man with No Name or The Outlaw Josey Wales. One incarnation of his comic book series saw the Western genre combined with supernatural elements. Yes, that's what he looks like, right there. I know what you're thinking, he looks like Two-Face. This character has also appeared in episodes of the animated series Justice League Unlimited.

It's a bit odd and quite unusual to have somebody who directed a project like "Horton Hears A Who" to tackle a comicbook known for its gritty anti-hero violence. But then again, one cannot easily underestimate directors these days. I mean look at comedian/director Jon Favreau. Who would've known this director of "Swingers" and the kid friendly "Zathura" would direct "Iron Man" one of the best superhero movies ever made.

SOURCE: HollywoodReporter.com