Special effects artist Tim Miller has signed on to direct Legendary Pictures’ film adaptation of the graphic novel ‘Gravel,’ Collider is reporting. Miller has signed onto the project after his planned directorial debut, the film adaptation of another graphic novel, ‘Deadpool,’ has been stuck in development.

‘Gravel,’ which was written by Warren Ellis, follows the title character, William Gravel, a British soldier. He is also a magic-wielding mercenary, battling the forces of darkness to pay off his personal debts. Ellis will serve as one of the executive producers on the film, which will be released by Warner Bros. Stephen Cornwell and Oliver Butcher will write the script.

After last summer’s superhero film, ‘Green Lantern,’ which starred Ryan Reynolds, was a critical and commercial failure, ‘Deadpool’ seems even more unlikely to enter production. Reynolds starred as Deadpool in the 2009 critically panned ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine,’ making Marvel weary of moving forward with the spin-off.

Written by: Karen Benardello