This week's Script Bits brings news of adaptations, remakes, and some sad news in the world of screen writing, as one famed writer from the action genre has passed away. 

Screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada) is writing a romantic drama for super-producers Orci and Kurtzman that will be released via Dreamworks. The story will revolve around love affairs and breakups amidst a close knit circle of friends over a time span of several years. McKenna also wrote the upcoming film, “Morning Glory”.

A writer will soon be announced for the upcoming comic-to-screen adaptation, “Mage”. Lloyd Levin is set to produce the 80’s comic book, which revolves around a modern-day Camelot storyline. Levin also produced both, “Hellboy” films. Original book author Matt Wagner is said to be happy with the pick of producer, feeling confident that Levin will once again find a writer who will attempt to create a film that’s faithful to the comic.

In a bit of sad news, famed screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz has passed away. He was well known for having co-written several Bond screenplays as well as TV shows like, “Hart to Hart”.

Neil Jordan is set to write and direct an adaptation of the novel, “Skippy Dies”. The film, like the book, will be a dark comedy that follows the roommate of a recently deceased Irish schoolboy. The roommate just so happens to be a genius and begins to conduct a series of quirky experiments in an attempt to reach Skippy from beyond the grave. Jordan is known for his more experimental films, such as, “The Crying Game”.

A remake of the smash hit Irish dramedy titled, “Wild About Harry” is in the works. The film follows a man who is attacked and suffers a bout of amnesia on the eve of his divorce hearing, leaving him with no memories past his 18^th birthday. This gives him the opportunity to set things right in his life. Famed TV writer Kirk Rudell will write the screenplay for Warner Bros.

Joseph Kahn and Mark Palermo’s script, “Detention” is headed into production. The horror comedy centers around students who must survive their senior year when a slasher killer from the big screen seems to come to life. Kahn is directing.