That Rumored CW Version Of 'Battle Royale' Isn't Happening

Briefly: Breathe easy, Battle Royale fans. You won't have to see the CW network craft a teen- and TV-friendly version of your favorite tale of a dystopian future in which kids are forced to fight to the death. Last year, CW president Mark Pedowitz expressed interest in making a series out of Battle Royale, fueled no doubt by the crazy popularity of vaguely similar property The Hunger Games.

But while the network looked into the project, it seems there was no interest from rights holders. EW talked to Pedowitz, who says "We were not able to do anything. We are not planning to do anything with Battle Royale ... nothing occurred ... there's nothing to talk about ... nothing happened."

There's also the implication in EW's piece that the flare-up in the debate over the relationship between violence in the media and real life changed the company's interest in the property. In the wake of Aurora and Sandy Hook, the CW might not be so keen on a show that revolves around high-school kids killing each other.