According to The Hollywood Reporter, Mandalay Pictures has acquired the rights to Shoji Gatoh’s Full Metal Panic series of light novels with the intention of creating a live action film.  Zac Efron (High School Musical) has been mentioned as a likely choice to play the lead role of an anti-terrorist commando who, because of his youthful appearance, is given the mission of protecting the most popular girl at Jindai High School.

FMP blends action (including battles with giant mecha known as Arm Slaves) with comedy (the commando is a “fish out of water” in high school) and high school romance (the girl has a crush on the commando who is unfortunately incapable of expressing emotion).  Gatoh’s 20 FMP novels have inspired three different anime series (the first from Gonzo in 2002, followed by FMP: Fumoffu in 2003 and FMP: The Second Raid in 2005, both of which were produced by Kyoto Animation), and no fewer than 5 manga series.

According to THR, Mandalay has a first look deal with Universal, but has not set up the Full Metal Panic project at a studio yet.