Maria Melnik to pen a script for Valiant Comics plus-sized super hero Faith

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

As part of Hollywood's never-ending quest to make certain that all types of heroes are eventually represented on the big screen, it's been announced that Sony Pictures has tapped AMERICAN GODS scribe Maria Melnik to write a film centered on Valiant Comics own plus-sized superheroine, Faith. In the comics, Faith Herbert is a happy-go-lucky, science and fan-fiction loving woman who wields telekinetic powers. In addition to her ability to move objects with her mind, Faith is able to fly and can produce force shields for herself and nearby companions. As a part of her history, Faith has been a member of the Renegades, a group of young psiots (think Valiant's version of mutants) who work together to take down Toyo Harada and his nefarious Harbinger Foundation.

When work on the FAITH project gets underway, Toby Jaffe and Neal Moritz will serve as the film's producers via their Original Film banner with Dan Mintz. As a part of Valiant's bid to enter into the big screen comic book film market, FAITH will arrive beside director Dave Wilson's BLOODSHOT, an upcoming action adventure feature starring Vin Diesel (PITCH BLACK, THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS) and Toby Kebbell (KONG: SKULL ISLAND). Also expected to appear on screen from Sony and Valiant is an adaptation of the comics publisher's Harbinger series, though details related to that project are scarce at this time.

Provided that Faith's big screen appearance remains true to her comic book counterpart, the character stands to score major points for inclusivity among big screen comic adaptations. I say this because Faith's plus-sized body type is certainly uncommon among other magazine model-like superheroines. There's also something to be said about Faith's buzzy energy and lust for the good things in life. She's a firecracker, plain and simple. Which, if you think about it, is also a rare profile with regard to most female superheroes on the silver screen. I guess what I'm trying to say is that Faith stands to offer something fresh and bubbly to Hollywood's comic scene, and that ain't a bad thing.

Valiant's current Faith comic book series is written by Jody Houser and features artwork from both Francis Portela and Marguerite Sauvage and covers by Jelena Kevic-Djurdjevic. As part of her new story, Faith relocates to Los Angeles, where she works as a reporter while moonlighting as a superhero. In my experience, I'd found the first two volumes of the series to be a delight, and I can certainly see why both Sony and Valiant are eyeing Faith as a character worthy of the big screen. Be sure to check it out wherever comics are sold.