Set in a future where mankind has been enslaved by an alien race, storyline follows a man who, though born in captivity, rises through gladiatorial battles to become the leader of a group of revolutionaries. Called the Freemen, his warrior-slaves unite in an attempt to drive the invaders off the Earth.

Sony already is in discussions with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan ("The Kentucky Cycle") to adapt the 1970s comicbook series, the trade paper reports.

The move into less well-known comicbook titles is well under way at Marvel, which also has set up "Ghost Rider" with Nicolas Cage toplining at Sony. "Daredevil" helmer Mark Steven Johnson directs.

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