Stranger Things’ Rebecca Thomas to direct James Wan’s Malignant

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

James Wan's breakthrough film SAW centered on a man who became the modern horror icon Jigsaw after being diagnosed with cancer. His Boom! Studios comic book Malignant Man, which he wrote with Michael Alan Nelson, also centers on a man who has a malignant tumor… but this story takes that idea in a very different direction than the story of Jigsaw.

The "malignant man" of the title is 

Alex Gates, a patient dying of a terminal disease who is resigned to his fate until he discovers that his malignant tumor is actually a mysterious alien parasite. Now with some incredible powers and a renewed purpose, Gates is tasked with fighting a secret army lurking behind the veils of society while also peeling back his own secrets.

A cinematic adaptation of the Malignant Man comic has been in the works for a few years now, with Zak Olkewicz having written the screenplay. Last year, it was announced with SAN ANDREAS helmer Brad Peyton would be directing the film, but that plan has now changed.

Replacing Peyton as the director of the sci-fi thriller, which is now simply known as MALIGNANT, is Rebecca Thomas. Thomas made her feature directorial debut with the 2012 film ELECTRICK CHILDREN and also directed an episode of the upcoming second season of Stranger Things.

Matt Reilly is overseeing MALIGNANT for Fox. Wan will be producing the film through his company Atomic Monster, alongside Ross Richie and Stephen Christy of Boom! Boom!'s Adam Yoelin will serve as co-producer.