LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "The Many Worlds of Jonas Moore," an online graphic novel, could be headed for television screens.

MGM Domestic Television Distribution has optioned the Factory Publishing property with an eye toward developing it as a series.

"Jonas" -- written, produced and directed by Howard Webster -- is set in a time where the British Empire has never ended and America is just one of thousands of virtual worlds hosted on a vast global game network. When Jonas Moore (Colin Salmon), a character created by the network's founder, becomes self-aware, he is tagged by the network as a virus and goes on the run. He begins spreading his knowledge of the games to the other characters, which precipitates a revolution and fight for freedom against the murderously addicted real-world gamers.

MGM is understood to be considering all potential distribution avenues for the series, including broadcast, cable, syndication and international.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter