The below information is from 2006. Since this original press release we’ve heard that The Shadow film is now with FOX. Still no word on who exactly crew and cast is attached to it.

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IGN writes that the movie combines Street & Smith characters such as The Shadow, Doc Savage, The Avengers, etc. Most likely this is due to the lack of knowledge in recent generations about these characters. This film could be the potential rebirth of pulp heroes as we know it.Distributor:
Colombia Pictures

Crew:
Sam Raimi – Producer
Josh Donen – Producer
Michael E. Uslan – Producer
Siavash Farahani – Screenwriter

Official Press Release:

(Culver City, Ca – December 8, 2006) – The Shadow, the legendary Conde Nast comic book character, will come to the big screen from Columbia Pictures and producers Sam Raimi and Josh Donen of Buckaroo Entertainment and Michael Uslan of Comic Book Movies, LLC/Branded Entertainment, it was announced today by Matt Tolmach and Doug Belgrad, Presidents of Production for Columbia Pictures.

The screenplay is being written by Siavash Farahani. CBM/Branded’s FJ DeSanto will co-produce the film. Sam Dickerman is overseeing development of the movie for Columbia Pictures.

Often credited by Bob Kane, the creator of Batman, as the biggest influence on his creation of The Dark Knight, The Shadow was created in 1930 on what would become perhaps the most popular dramatic radio program in history.

Early 30s star and radio personality Orson Welles popularized The Shadow’s catchphrase, “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” The phenomenal success of the radio show was closely followed by Street & Smith’s publication of “The Shadow Magazine,” written by Walter Gibson under the penname “Maxwell Grant.” Street & Smith would go on to publish 325 Shadow pulp novels. With further triumphs as a newspaper comic strip, comic books, and merchandising, The Shadow arrived in Hollywood via a string of cliff-hanging movie serials and features variously starring Victor Jory, Kane Richmond and Rod LaRoque. A 1994 feature starred Alec Baldwin. Over the years, Shadow comic books and graphic novels have been published by Street & Smith, Archie, Dark Horse, Marvel, and, most notably, DC Comics.

Raimi says, “I’ve been a passionate Shadow fan ever since I was a kid and have long dreamed of bringing this character to the screen.”

Tolmach adds, “We’re thrilled to be re-teaming with Sam as he brings another legendary comic-book character to a new generation of fans. This property is in the perfect hands.”

Uslan says, “My first comic-book writing gig in the 70s was writing for DC’s ‘Shadow’ comics. I had the chance to spend time with Walter Gibson and derive my understanding of the character directly from the original source himself. Working with Sam, Josh, and the entire team at Columbia, I know I am working with the Shadow Dream Team.”

Donen says, “We envision building a strong, character-driven, plot-intensive story filled with mystery and action that establishes a Shadow true to its roots and unlike any way he’s been presented in the past.”

Jerry Birenz, Counsel to Conde Nast, says, “Conde Nast has had a number of important filmmakers and companies approach us over the past few years, but only this team, as proven by the fact they have so successfully brought characters to the screen who are the crown jewels — the life-blood — of their respective comic book companies, has the incredible passion and experience to reignite and re-imagine The Shadow for a new generation. It doesn’t get better than knowing our film is in the talented hands of producer Sam Raimi.”