Radar Pictures announced that the 1973 Emerson, Lake & Palmer track “Karn Evil 9” will be reimagined as a dystopian science‑fiction thriller. Director Isaac Ezban and screenwriter Tim Hedrick are leading the project,which is being developed in cooperation with the band’s management and surviving members.

Isaac Ezban to Direct the ‘Karn Evil 9’ Film

Mexican filmmaker Isaac Ezban, known for the tense thriller The Incident, will helm the adaptation. Ezban told reporters the movie feels like “the miracle of a film I’ve always dreamed of directing,” emphasizing his desire to blend the original’s futuristic dread with modern visual storytelling.

Tim Hedrick Links the Song to ‘The Matrix’ and ‘Terminator’

Screenwriter Tim Hedrick , whose résumé includes work on Avatar: The Last Airbender, argues that “Karn Evil 9” pre‑figured landmark sci‑fi movies such as The Matrix and Terminator. He says the song’s blend of rock, classical motifs and apocalyptic lyrics anticipated today’s “technological chaos ,” making it a fertile source for a narrative about a virtual festival and a dangerous new technology.

Plot Centers on Zak, a Troubled Prodigy in a Virtual Festival

The official synopsis introduces Zak, a brilliant yet unstable musical prodigy invited to perform at a major music festival that is being simulcast inside the world’s most popular video game. as Zak uncovers the game’s mysterious creator, he learns the technology being promoted could either save humanity or become a weapon wielded by ruthless anti‑technology mercenaries.

Progressive Rock Meets Modern Film Trends

The adaptation reflects a growing trend of turning iconic musical works into expansive cinematic universes. by anchoring the story in a virtual‑festival premise, the film taps current cultural fascinations with esports, livestreamed concerts and the blurring line between reality and digital spaces. According to the source, the collaboration with the band’s management is intended to preserve the avant‑garde spirit of the original while expanding its narrative reach.

Unanswered Questions About Production Timeline and Budget

While the creative team is confirmed, the source does not disclose when filming will begin, the projected budget, or which studio will handle distribution. It also remains unclear how much creative control the surviving members of Emerson, Lake & Palmer will retain beyond the initial consultation.