Kelman tapped to adapt 'Ramayan 3392 AD'

Mandalay Pictures has tapped emerging scribe Nic Kelman to adapt Liquid Comics' graphic novel "Ramayan 3392 AD." First published in 2006, story is based on an epic Hindu poem about the adventures of legendary blue-skinned warrior Prince Rama, who fights to rescue his wife from the demon king who kidnapped her. Mark Canton ("300") is producing with Mandalay prexy Cathy Schulman, while Liquid Comics toppers Gotham Chopra and Sharad Devarajan will exec produce the pic with Atmosphere Entertainment. Former Mandalay exec Scarlett Lacey will also serve in a producing capacity. John Collee ("Master and Commander") was originally hired to adapt the comicbook back in Oct. 2008, but Mandalay sparked to Kelman's new take on the material. Kelman, who is best known as the author of the best-selling novel "girls," sold his sci-fi spec script "Genneris" to DreamWorks back in March. He's repped by CAA and attorney Michael Gendler of Gendler & Kelly. Contact Jeff Sneider at jeff.sneider@variety.com