Variety reports that Warner Brothers has optioned The Exec, a comic book published by Comics Conspiracy, for Batman director Christopher Nolan.  Nolan's brother Jonathan, who wrote the screenplay for Memento, will adapt the comic book, which was written by Doug Miers.  In the future world of The Exec a hostile takeover is accomplished with AK-47s and the 'termination' of employees is often accomplished with a submachine gun.  Producer David Heyman told Variety that The Exec 'has the elements of tension Chris created in Memento and Insomnia, but it is also a major-sized film, and it will be useful for Chris and Emma (producer Emma Thomas) to apply the lessons they are learning in mounting the Batman film.'

Nolan, who is currently working on the Batman project, will follow his tale of the Caped Crusader with The Prestige, which is also being written by his brother.  The Exec will likely be the next film on Nolan's docket after The Prestige.  Although The Exec comic has hardly been a huge success, several major films, including the blockbuster Men In Black movies, have been based on rather obscure comic book releases.