Movies based on Japanese sci-fi novels Mardock Scramble and Lord of the Sands of Time are in development, according to Variety.   The film based on Mardock Scramble, a novel by Tow Ubukata, will be directed and produced by Michael Davis (Shoot ‘Em Up). The novel was released in English by Viz. An anime feature based on the novel was released in the U.S. as Mardock Scramble: The First Compression by Section 23 (see “DVD Roundup March 13, 2012”). Kodansha has released four volumes of the manga (see “Kodansha Announces Debut Titles”).

Transformers producer Don Murphy is developing a film based on The Lord of the Sands of the Time, a novel by Issui Ogawa. It was released in English by Viz as one of the first two releases under its Haikasoru imprint (see “Viz Media Launches Science Fiction Imprint”).