Netflix’s live-action Death Note series has found its writer.
According to Deadline, the upcoming Death Note adaptation has tapped Halia Abdel-Meguid to write the show’s script.
Abdel-Meguid is a long-time fan of the Death Note anime, as well as being a Japanese speaker, having spent time living in Tokyo.
Death Note tells the story of Light, a high-schooler who stumbles upon the Death Note – a mysterious notebook that kills anyone whose name is written inside. Previously owned by the death god Ryuk, the notebook is a powerful weapon that Light uses for good, killing hardened criminals using this mysterious force.
Meanwhile, a team of law enforcement officers tries to stop the unknown killer.
The original Manga was adapted into a live-action film in 2017 starring Nat Wolff as Light and Willem Dafoe as Ryuk. Notably, several producers of the 2017 film are also on board for the upcoming live-action series, including Dan Lin and Roy Lee as executive producers, with Jonathan Eirich and Miri Yoon as co-exec producers.
The upcoming live-action series is in production under The Duffer Brothers’ production company, Upside Down, as part of the filmmakers’ Netflix deal.
Abdel-Meguid recently wrote The Devil in the White City and has already partnered with The Duffer Brothers for their upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s The Talisman.
IGN’s review of the Death Note movie gave it 7/10 and said: “Death Note adds more teenage melodrama and condenses the story of the original manga in a way that isn’t always satisfying to watch. While the leads falter, the supporting cast steps up in a big way to keep their parts in the movie grounded and entertaining. Willem Dafoe’s Ryuk was an absolutely inspired piece of casting, and he easily carried his scenes. If there is a sequel, bringing him back as Ryuk is a must.”
Want to read more about Death Note? Check out how the Death Note film alters the original story as well as which live-action anime films are in the works.
Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.
