“It’s my favorite manga, I was just struck by its unique and brilliant sensibility,” Black said. “What we want to do is take it back to that manga, and make it closer to what is so complex and truthful about the spirituality of the story, versus taking the concept and trying to copy it as an American thriller. Jeff Robinov and Greg Silverman liked that.”

Death Note, about a mystical notebook that has the power to kill anyone who’s name is written on it, has sold over 38 million copies worldwide, and has been  franchised into animated and feature films, a cartoon series, novels and video games in Japan. (Deadline)