Chopper Comic Gets a Ride With Dilemma

Article by Dave McNary, Variety Magazine

Marketing and branded entertainment company Dilemma plans to move into movies with a feature film adaptation of Martin Shapiro's horror comic "Chopper."

Company founder and producer J.C. Christofilis has optioned a script from Shapiro for a project described as a modern spin on the "Sleepy Hollow" mythology, with storylines revolving around a headless outlaw biker seeking vengeance in the afterlife.

Dilemma is seeking co-producers at the American Film Market.

Earlier this year, Dilemma produced and self-distributed a nine-episode web series that introduced prequel storylines intended to set up the movie and its mythology. Series starred Tyler Mane and Andrew Bryniarski, with Christofilis writing and directing.

Shapiro and Christofilis met as classmates at UCLA film school then reunited at Comic-Con 2010 when Shapiro shared some early panels of the "Chopper" comicbook that Asylum Press released in 2011.

"Ultimately, the neverending viability of the horror genre combined with the exploding interest in shows like 'Sons of Anarchy' made my decision to bring our title character to life a no-brainer -- pardon the pun," said Christofilis.

Tom Rubin repped Dilemma in negotiations and Shapiro was repped by manager Scott Agostoni.