Catch 23 Entertainment hasacquired film rights to Alex Simmon's graphic novel series Blackjack from LA-based Platinum Studios and has entered intoa co-production agreement with Platinum for the development of a feature filmbased on the material.

The project is the firstacquisition for C23's new urban entertainment division Alter EgoEntertainment headed by senior vice president Darryl Taja. Michael Jay White (ExitWounds, Spawn) is in preliminarynegotiations to star in the film.

Blackjack follows the exploits of an African-American soldierof fortune who roams the globe in search. Taja will develop the projectalongside Marc Danon, C23's vice president of production andacquisitions who brought the project to Taja's attention.