Toronto- and Los Angeles-based production company Wango Films has picked up the exclusive film rights to the dystopian novel The Monsters in our Shadows by Toronto author Edward J. Cembal.

Canadian director April Mullen (pictured) is attached to helm a film version of the novel, with production slated for late 2023, according to a news release.

Cembal is a co-writer on the screen adaptation with Wango founding partner Tim Doiron, who is producing the film alongside James van der Woerd. The company launched sales for The Monsters in our Shadows at the Cannes Film Festival this month.

The story takes place in a world where humans are at the brink of extinction due to an alien species that has taken them over as hosts, and follows a man who vies to save the last of the human race.

The novel has not been published, said the release, but has received “strong pre-release buzz.”

Mullen, a founding partner of Wango, previously directed the prodco’s sci-fi thriller Simulant, which was released theatrically in Canada by distributor Mongrel Media on April 7 and stars Robbie Amell, Jordana Brewster and Simu Liu.

Doiron said The Monsters in our Shadows is a “significant addition” to Wango’s slate due to its “worldwide audience appeal,” in a statement.

“Its unique and enthralling world poignantly explores humanity at a high-octane level,” he said.

Photo by Zack Esau