Variety is reporting that movie developer Benderspink has signed director Steven C. Miller to helm Jack Phillips' adaptation of the Area 52 comic book series created by Brian Haberlin and published by Image Comics.  The Thing-like science fiction adventure, which is set at the South Pole, has been in development since 2002 (see 'Image's Area 52 Comic Optioned'), but has shown signs of life now that Benderspink has latched on to it.  The signing of Miller, who directed the zombie movie Automaton Transfusion, is a good indication of progress, though an Area 52 movie is still a long way from your local multiplex.

Benderspink, which specializes in bringing comic book properties to the screen, has a number of projects set up with a variety of studios including Power and the Glory and Y: The Last Man at New Line, The Ghouly Boys at Mandate and Pet Robots at Disney.