Joe Nation’s ‘YouTube Assassin’ To Become A Feature-Length Film

Relativity Media‘s digital studio and online video platform FilmOn are turning a hit web series into a feature film. According to The Wrap, those two companies have teamed up with creator Joe Nation and a handful of YouTube’s biggest stars for Bob Thunder: Internet Assassin, a full-length version of Nation’s YouTube Assassin web series.

Bob Thunder will follow its titular character, who strives to kill off popular YouTube stars so they can be replaced with robotic brand shills. Along the way, viewers will encounter a number of YouTube stars, including Shane Dawson, Prank vs. Prank, Joey Graceffa, Swoozie, Chester See, Olga Kay, Michael Gallagher, Steve Greene, Jacksfilms and Evelina Barry. If Nation’s original web series is any indication, these YouTubers will play fictionalized versions of themselves as they attempt to fend off their would-be assassin.

While the YouTube Assassin web series predominantly made fun of YouTube creators who are willing to do anything for views, Bob Thunder looks to shift into edgier territory. Variety claims the film will “[lampoon] YouTube multichannel networks,” thus satirizing the companies that play a major role in the promotion and management of most major YouTube stars.

Relativity and FilmOn are likely encouraged by Camp Takota, which leveraged the online popularity of its three stars and an on-demand digital distribution format to achieve success. Bob Thunder will also see release through digital pipelines, and its creators are likely hoping for a similar splash. Given all the YouTube talent in the movie’s cast, they certainly have the star power to pull it off.

The film is due out next January.