Netflix taps ‘Stranger Things’ creators to develop new ‘Death Note’ live-action series

Netflix has tapped “Stranger Things” creators Matt and Ross Duffer, together known as the Duffer Brothers, to develop a live-action adaptation of the hit anime and manga series “Death Note.”

In an announcement on Wednesday, the Duffer Brothers unveiled their new production company Upside Down Pictures, according to Deadline. The "Stranger Things" creators will be developing a variety of projects under their company, including “Death Note,” as part of their multi-year deal with Netflix.

Although the streaming platform already released a live-action adaptation of “Death Note” in 2017, the new series will reportedly be an “entirely new take.”

Written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata, the manga series follows the story of Light Yagami, a teenager who acquires immense power through a mysterious notebook that allows him to kill anyone by writing their name on its pages.

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“Death Note” was released in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump in December 2003 and ran for 108 chapters until May 2006.

The manga series was later adapted into an anime series under director Tetsurō Araki, who has also worked on other projects such as “Attack on Titan” and the Netflix anime film “Bubble.” The anime ran for 37 episodes from 2006 to 2007.

The series has received several live-action adaptations in Japan, including 2006’s “Death Note” and “Death Note: The Last Name” starring Japanese actor Tatsuya Fujiwara (“Battle Royale” and “Battle Royale II). In 2008, a live-action spin-off titled “Death Note: L Change the World” was released.

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Netflix’s 2017 live-action adaptation was poorly received by viewers, with some critics calling the film a “whitewashed waste of time.” Director Adam Wingard deleted his Twitter account after receiving death threats in relation to the project.

Other projects that the Duffer Brothers will be working on under their new company include a “Stranger Things” spin-off and a series adaptation of Stephen King and Peter Straub‘s 1984 novel “The Talisman.”

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