Los Angeles-based Platinum Studios has partnered with Top Cow Productions and film sales company Arclight Films on the adaptation of Top Cow's fantasy thriller comic book franchise Witchblade.

The producers expect begin shooting in September in Australia. Plot details are being kept under wraps although what is known that the property centres on a jewel-encrusted gauntlet that grants superpowers to its female bearer.

Arclight CEO Gary Hamilton and head of production operations Nigel Odell will produce with Platinum Studios' CEO Scott Mitchell Rosenberg and Steve Squillante of Havenwood Media.

Top Cow CEO Marc Silvestri and president Matt Hawkins will serve as executive producers with Platinum's Rich Marincic and Randy Greenberg of the Greenberg Group and Platinum's general counsel Helene Pretsky, both of whom negotiated the deal.

'Witchblade is one of the premier comic book titles in the world,' Hamilton said. 'This property is the cornerstone of our upcoming production and sales slate.'

'In my opinion, Witchblade is one of the finest comic book properties yet to be made into a full-length feature film,' Rosenberg said. 'I believe that Witchblade's fantastic origin, intriguing mystery and wonderful story should satisfy the core audience while giving all moviegoers an amazing ride.'

'We have been looking for the right opportunity to bring Witchblade to the big screen,' Silvestri added. 'We are fortunate to have production partners who value the story and the characters so much and have a shared vision.'

Platinum Studios's film slate includes Atlantis Rising and Cowboys And Aliens at DreamWorks, Unique at Walt Disney Pictures and Dead Of Night with Hyde Park Entertainment.