Billy Tucci has been away from comics for almost two years, dedicating most of his time to the gaming industry . With Battlebooks underway, having released over 20 books and an equal amount still in production, Tucci can now focus on his first love, comics, with his new Shi series, (story and pencils by Tucci) coming out in the next couple of months, but that is for another interview. Preview's Marty Grosser caught up with Billy to first talk about the Cannes Film Festival and the announcement of Shi: The Motion Picture!

First of all, I'd like to say welcome back -- we sure missed you. Second, didn't I see Tia Carrere on the Howie Mandel show, talking about some movie she was doing called Shi?

So you've seen that huh? Yes, we were all was pretty surprised when she made the announcement, she's really thrilled about it. Yes Tia Carrere as been signed to star in Shi: The Motion Picture. Tia loves the character and I felt really comfortable talking to her and she's just such a terrific actress, and physically she's perfect for portraying Ana Ishikawa.

So, you're making a movie?

Yes, its very exciting! Franchise Films, who are producing the film will announce it at this year's Cannes Film Festival. It will be based on the original Way of the Warrior series with a few improvements.

Franchise Films is the producing the picture?

Yes, along with Morgan Creek, and what's really exciting is that Warner Brothers has just signed on to distribute it, so this is gonna be the big time.

When did you sign with Franchise?

We signed the deal in January of 1998, but we had been talking about having Franchise option the rights to the film since 1995. Tia and Elie (Samaha, Carrere's husband and President of Franchise Films) and I had dinner to discuss making Shi into a major motion picture. Now at this point I had probably met with every major studio in Hollywood, but what made Franchise so different was their enthusiasm, professionalism and dedication to the actually making Shi. I knew that they would ensure the integrity of the story and the deal would allow me to play a major role in its creation.

What's your involvement in the film?

When Franchise first approached me to produce Shi it was going to be a small independent film, maybe with a budget of 17 million dollars. They wanted me to be involved as much as possible, because they knew that being the creator I could add a personal touch to the film, give it an original twist. I thought this was great, because I knew that we would make a film that would just blow people away, becoming a sleeper hit much like the comic was. So I was signed to write with Peter Gutierrez ( Billy's writing partner on the critically acclaimed Way of The Warrior series) and produce the picture with Elie Samaha.

So how did Morgan Creek and Warner Brothers get involved?

Elie Samaha is a rarity in Hollywood these days because when he says he's going to produce a film, he does. What makes Shi an interesting story is that we did sign on to make this small independent film, but Franchise then brokered a deal with Morgan Creek and Warner Brothers to produce film with them, and one of the films they wanted was Shi! So now we become a major motion picture, with a big budget with special effects by XXXXX(Independence Day) and opening in 2,500 theaters across the United States. But the core is still in place, the integrity of the character through the script and especially Tia is intact. This will all make for a big film that has a soul and not become a disaster like most comic book adapted films that have opened with much ballyhoo, then die when word of mouth gets out that they suck.

When is the movie scheduled to start shooting and release?

Shooting is to begin in New York and Toronto in January so we're looking at a summer 2000 release.

And the Cannes Film Festival is where its going to be announced?

Yes, but we thought we'd be a little different and produce a special comic book and announcement poster to announce the film to the world. And now they're being offered to comic fans.

This reminds me of the first Star Wars announcement poster, which is now a collectors item. Exactly, that poster is really sought after these days and we felt it would be great to do the same with our poster and comic.

What's in the comic, I know its got a great cover? Tia's really beautiful isn't she?

The comic will contain bio's on all involved in the film, actors, producers etc. Plus, an introductory essay on exactly who Shi is and why are they making a movie on it. We will also include preliminary costume designs, story boards, and excerpts from the treatment and script.

There's also some sequential art as well?

Right. It'll be my first work in almost two years and will basically be the first five minutes of the film. I've got to tell you that it was great to actually draw again, and since then I haven't stopped. I really needed a break, I was going like million miles an hour for three years, not only penciling, but writing and trying to be a major publisher as well.

Can we expect that break neck publishing pace from you again?

To be honest no, for five years now I've been expanding, for the past couple of years I've handled about 6 full time jobs. I was trying to be a comic publisher, writer and artist, a screen play writer, a game developer and most recently a game publisher. I just looked at myself in the mirror one day and said "enough!" I mean, I got into comic's to tell the story of a character I created years before and things just kind of got crazy after that.

So you'll just be focusing on Shi now?

Absolutely. I'm the luckiest guy in the world. Comics have been great to me, opened all these doors, and experiences, but it had become more of a job than art. And now I just want to have a life, draw one comic every month or bi- monthly, and give the fans what they've waited so long for. The return of Shi!

Well, thanks, Billy I'm sure you know we're all excited for you and all the great things happening with Crusade. And we cannot wait to see that new Shi comic coming out again.

Thank you, Marty. I promise in the next few months you'll be seeing so much of Shi you'll be sick of it!