Mandalay Pictures Developing Full Metal Panic

Mandalay Pictures will develop a feature version of Full Metal Panic, a Japanese manga series that blends action, comedy and high school romance, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The property derives from writer Shoji Gatoh's series about a teenage anti-terrorist commando named Sousuke Sagara who is given the mission to protect a high-school girl with mystical powers.

Full Metal Panic, which is set in a world almost exclusively without adults, is known for mixing visceral action with wry comedy.

Zac Efron's name has surfaced in connection with Full Metal Panic, with the actor holding a conversation on the project.

Born as a serialized novel from Gatoh and the illustrator Shiki Douji, Full Metal Panic was developed in the early 2000's as a Japanese anime by the Asian firm Kyoto Animation and eventually also yielded a spinoff series.

No production date has been set.