Report: Adam McKay's next superhero movie is Irredeemable

The supervillain-starring comic book series Irredeemable is heading to theaters, according to Deadline, and Adam McKay (Ant-Man) is in talks to direct. The project is in the works at 20th Century Fox (the studio behind the X-Men films and Deadpool).

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters' writer Tommy Wirkola is set to pen the script, while McKay's production company will serve as executive producer, Deadline rerpots. The comic books' original publisher Boom! Comics is also involved.

Irredeemable ran for 37 issues, concluding in 2012. Mark Waid (The Flash, Captain America) wrote the story, which tracks the descent of Earth's greatest superhero into evil. Called The Plutonian, Irredeemable's lead is a Superman-style character with psionic powers and a looser moral code. The series featured its own take on the Justice League, too, and The Plutonian's former superhero teammates band together to stop him from wreaking havoc.

McKay's background is largely in comedy, but 2015's Ant-Man — which he helped rewrite after Edgar Wright departed the film — represented a shift in his interests. A sequel to the film is in the works.

Also in 2015, McKay co-wrote and directed The Big Short; the financial drama went on to win the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Clarification: McKay co-wrote Ant-Man. The text above has edited to clarify that.