The countdown to The Great Wall movie has begun. Legendary Comics released today a prequel graphic novel to the movie, which will reveal important backstory on the secret society of heroes who have been defending the world from within theGreat Wall. Before you go out and pick up this graphic novel today, Legendary has given fans a sneak peek, debuting the first three pages of this 128-page hardcover graphic novel, entitledThe Great Wall: Last Survivor.
What if an army was created to defend our world from an enemy so dangerous, its very existence must be kept a secret? Built to keep out the ferocious Tao Tei,The Great Wallis the most powerful defensive structure ever built; but it is the heroes within that make the wall great: The Nameless Order. Set sixty years prior to the film, in the mysterious lands ofancient China, tragedy forces young Bao into joining The Nameless Order and upholding the corps' four principles: Discipline, Loyalty, Secrecy, and Sacrifice.
Challenged by rivals, haunted by his past, and tested by desires, Bao spends his life preparing for one singular moment: when he will have to defend the world from ferocious monsters that have come to devour us all. An original graphic novel inspired by the major motion pictureThe Great WallfromLegendary, Universal Pictures, China Film Co., Ltd and Le Vision Pictures, directed byZhang Yimou(Hero,House of Flying Daggers) and starringMatt Damon,Pedro PascalandWillem Dafoe.The Great Wall: Last Survivoris written byArvid Nelson(Rex Mundi) with art byGian Fernando(13 Legends). The cover art is byWhilce Portacio.
The supporting cast forThe Great Wallis rounded out byAndy Lau,Numan Acar,Tian Jing,Eddie Peng,Han Lu,Hanyu ZhangandKenny Lin. Shortly after the first trailer was released in July,Fresh of the BoatstarConstance Wubashed the film for its “whitewashing” practices, castingMatt Damonas the lead actor of a movie predominantly set in China. The controversy has since died down, but with the movie gearing up for its release exactly one month from today, on February 24, the controversy could re-ignite once again.
The Great Wallhas been in development for several years, withHenry Cavillonce set to star way back in 2012, withBenjamin Walkeralso signing on later that year alongside directorEdward Zwick. None of the actors are involved in the project now, althoughEdward Zwickand his longtime writing partnerMarshall Herskowitzstill getting a story credit withMax Brooks.Zimou Yhangdirects The Great Wall from a screenplay byTony Gilroy,Carlo BernardandDoug Miro. The film will go up against 20th Century Fox’sA Cure For Wellnessand Warner Bros.‘Fist Fightwhen it hits theaters on February 17. Take a look at the first three pages ofThe Great Wall: Last Survivorbelow.
