Brett Ratner to adapt 'Harbinger' comic

NEW YORK, March 14 (UPI) -- Hollywood's Paramount Pictures has acquired the rights to adapt the Valiant Comics' series "Harbinger" into a live-action feature film.

The movie will be directed by "X-Men 3: The Last Stand" and "Rush Hour" director Brett Ratner.

Ratner was looking for an opportunity to start a superhero film franchise from scratch and has been a fan of the "Harbinger" comic books since their release in 1992, Valiant Entertainment LLC said Friday.

"We are delighted to be working with leading partners in Paramount Pictures and director Brett Ratner on Valiant's first film deal. The future for Valiant's library of superhero franchises in film and other mass media is very bright," Jason Kothari, chief executive officer of Valiant Entertainment, said in a statement.

The "Harbinger" series was a hit in the 1990s, selling more than 5 million comic books and was named Comic Book of the Decade.

Chief Creative Officer Dinesh Shamdasani said: "Brett Ratner is the ideal choice to bring 'Harbinger' to life on the big screen, as he is not only one of Hollywood's hottest directors but has been a fan of Valiant Comics for many years."