Johnny Depp is set to lead a daring graphic novel series titled Hyde, inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The series is a joint venture between director Ridley Scott, his production company Scott Free, and Depp, with all three sharing co-ownership of the project. The first volume will be released this Halloween through Mechanical Cake, led by CEO Jesse Negron.
A Darker Continuation of the Classic Tale
Hyde explores a darker narrative where the villainous Hyde has fully overtaken Dr. Jekyll, delving into the antagonist’s complex and twisted mind. Set beneath London’s streets, Hyde experiments with a serum capable of turning others into versions of himself. According to the story’s description, the character will
freely explore his dark tendencies with uninhibited abandon,
highlighting the villain’s unchecked power and influence.
Johnny Depp’s Active Role in Shaping the Project
Depp lends more than just his appearance to the character; he is deeply involved in the creative process. Reflecting on his participation, Depp expressed his amazement at collaborating with Ridley Scott and contributing to expanding Stevenson’s characters. He said,
To build within the world of Robert Louis Stevenson’s masterful characters and to be welcomed into the vision of Ridley Scott… and inexplicably having the opportunity to explore, it’s surprising to me,
adding,
And hopefully surprising to him. It’s insane and beautiful to receive that trust from Ridley. A master.
Creative Team and Production Details
The series is co-written by Jesse Negron and Joe Matsumoto, with editorial direction by Dave Elliott. Artwork is provided by Gary Erskine and Chris Weston, while oversight is managed by Tom Moran at Scott Free, Jason Forman at Infinitum Nihil, and Tom Sanders at Mechanical Cake. Negron emphasized the unique approach of the project, stating,
This is an incredible opportunity to build a studio-level project that goes directly from the creators to the audience, with no filters in between,
and added,
‘Hyde,’ like everything Mechanical Cake does, is a bit off the rails, in a good way.
Ridley Scott’s Enthusiastic Support and Upcoming Preview
Ridley Scott’s enthusiasm for the series was clear, dubbing the project a no-brainer. Fans will have an early chance to preview Hyde at San Diego Comic-Con during a Hall H panel titled
‘Hyde’: When the Worlds of Graphic Novels and Movies Collide.
This discussion will focus on collaboration between top talents from graphic novels and film to deliver new creative projects directly to fans. Panelists include Negron, Elliott, Moran, Forman, and Anthony Francisco.
Future Projects from Scott Free and Mechanical Cake
In addition to Hyde, Scott Free and Mechanical Cake are developing two other graphic novels: the science fiction crime thriller Modville and the Norse war saga Nick. With Johnny Depp’s involvement and Ridley Scott’s backing, Hyde is positioned to become a striking and innovative addition to graphic novel storytelling, blending cinematic and literary artistry in a fresh way.
