Tobey Maguire

Tobey Maguire is teaming up with the producer of the "Fast and the Furious" films to bring a new comic book series to the big screen.

"Afterburn," a sci-fi adventure set against the backdrop of a postapocalyptic Earth, revolves around a group of treasure hunters who for the right price extract such objects as the Mona Lisa, the Rosetta Stone and England's Crown Jewels while facing rival hunters, mutants and pirates along the way.

The first issue of the comic book hit stands in January via upstart Canadian publisher Red 5 Comics. Company founders Scott Chitwood and Paul Ens wrote "Afterburn," which is drawn by Wayne Nichols.

Maguire and Neal Moritz will produce the feature version. No writer for the adaptation is on board.

Maguire, who is also producing a live-action adaptation of the anime classic "Robotech," has a cameo in Ben Stiller's August 15 comedy release "Tropic Thunder." Moritz is developing the fourth installment of "Fast and the Furious," which reunites Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, the stars of the first film.

(China Daily/Agencies March 28,2008)