The film rights to Dark HorseÂ’s horror series, Criminal Macabre: A Cal McDonald Mystery, have been purchased by MGM studios for a six figure sum. Dark Horse President Mike Richardson helped to broker the deal. Niles will write the script with Richardson and partner Barry Levine acting as producers.

"It is great to work with Steve on our second project together," commented Richardson, who helped sell NilesÂ’ vampire comic 30 Days of Night to Columbia Pictures at the beginning of the year. "Cal McDonald is one the coolest characters to come out of comics in a long time and it will be exciting to see him come to life on film."

Criminal Macabre tells the tale of hardboiled, monster-hunting private detective Cal McDonald who works the seedy underside of Los Angeles nightlife. A nightlife filled with vampires, werewolves, ghouls, and other assorted nightmares!

Issue #1 of the Criminal Macabre series, featuring art by Ben Templesmith, sold out immediately after the original May release. Reprints of the first issue hit stores in late June. The five-part series continues through September 2003. Visit Darkhorse.com for news on other upcoming projects featuring NilesÂ’ work.