Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski is set to produce and direct a big screen adaptation of the graphic novel called Pyongyang, created by Guy Delisle. The script for the movie is being written by Steve Conrad, who also wrote The Pursuit of Happyness and the Ben Stiller-directed movie The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty.
The film is a dark comedy about outsourcing run amok when a young animator sent to North Korea is accused of espionage. Here's a more detailed description from the graphic novel...
Famously referred to as one of the "Axis of Evil" countries, North Korea remains one of the most secretive and mysterious nations in the world today. In early 2001 cartoonist Guy Delisle became one of the few Westerners to be allowed access to the fortresslike country. While living in the nation's capital for two months on a work visa for a French film animation company, Delisle observed what he was allowed to see of the culture and lives of the few North Koreans he encountered; his findings form the basis of this remarkable graphic novel. Pyongyang is an informative, personal, and accessible look at a dangerous and enigmatic country.
This sounds like a great project for Verbinski to take on. I enjoy his directing style, and he's a good storyteller. I hope his next film The Lone Ranger ends up being a good one for him. What do you think about this story getting the big screen treatment--is Verbinski the right man for the job?