Sort of.

Earlier today, Variety broke the news about Disney opting out of producing the movie adaptation of Joseph Kosinski’s 128-paged illustrated novel “Oblivion,” which is due out to book stores on July 12th.

I say it is their loss and my gain because it looks like a pretty interesting story with some really awesome looking pictures; which Amazon has post some pics as well: Amazon Oblivion pics.

Looks like it would have been a tremendously expensive movie but it really peeks my interest as a read. At 128 pages, I know Variety called this an illustrated novel, but I have a feeling it is more like a graphic novel then anything else. If it is a graphic novel, I’d love to read it.

The book description from Amazon is as follows:

In a future where the Earth’s surface has been irradiated beyond recognition, the remnants of humanity live above the clouds, safe from the brutal alien Scavengers that stalk the ruins. But when surface drone repairman Jak discovers a mysterious woman in a crash-landed pod, it sets off an unstoppable chain of events that will force him to question everything he knows.

It seems like making a novel or graphic novel or comic is the way to go these days. It gives any project that little bit of credibility if what you are working on was a previous work. Gives the marketing department something to work with and it gives the people financing  something to truly bank on. In the case of Disney, well I guess they just lost faith in either the project itself or possibly the director.

For more on Disney and why they backed out of the theatrical version of this check out the Variety article below:

Disney drops Kosinski’s ‘Oblivion’

Studio will not move forward on project

By Marc Graser

Disney has opted to not move forward with an adaptation of Joseph Kosinski’s illustrated novel “Oblivion,” and is letting the “Tron: Legacy” helmer and Radical Publishing shop the project to other studios and producers. Pic had been developed under the title “Horizons.”

Mouse House picked up the project from Kosinski last August after the book bowed at Comic-Con.

“Oblivion” was created by Kosinski, penned by Rex Mundi and illustrated by Andree Wallin. Comicook shingle Radical Publishing shepherded the project.

Book is set in a future in which the Earth’s surface has been irradiated beyond recognition and the survivors live above the clouds…

To read the rest of the article go to: Variety

If this really a graphic novel, then this could be added to my Christmas List 2011!