The live action adaptation of Frank Frazetta’s and Ralph Bakshi’s animated film Fire and Ice has been picked up by Sony. Those involved in the project, which has been in development since 2011, are also discussing the possibility of a film franchise. The original 1983 movie, inspired by the artwork of Frazetta, was written by Gerry Conway and Roy Thomas and directed by Bakshi. The storyline revolves around a prehistoric war between the Ice World and the Fire People, during which an advancing glacier and subhuman monsters are used as weapons.

The animated Fire and Ice feature became a cult favorite with fans of fantasy adventure in the 1980s, although it is not as well known among younger moviegoers. The new film will reportedly target the younger generation as well as nostalgic older audiences.

Robert Rodriguez, who is adapting the material, talked to Deadline about the evolution of the project. He said, “I started developing it independently with Bold Films. The more we started putting it together, we realized it could be something much bigger and it started attracting A-list talent.” On the partnership with Sony, Rodriguez said, “I’d started out with them with El Mariachi, and I had a long relationship with the studio, and it seemed like the perfect rocket fuel for this. We’re actively interviewing to hire A-list writers to do another pass to get this going next year. I’m excited.”

Rodriguez will serve as the film’s producer and director. He is best known for the Spy Kids franchise, and his most recent big screen project was Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.