Deadline Hollywood posted an article about JMS optioning the Harlan Ellison short story in order to make it a feature film. The script is already written and approved by Ellison.

http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/j-michael-straczynski-options-harlan-ellisons-repent-harlequin-for-feature/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

The story is about Everett C. Marm, an ordinary man who disguises himself as the anarchical Harlequin and engages in whimsical rebellion against the Ticktockman. The trouble is that if he is found out, the government could stop his heart at long distance if they learn who he is. Straczynski sees the cautionary tale as especially relevant in a post-Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street environment, or even Edward Snowden, in a story of a man who goes against the system and must pay the price for his actions. Now that the script is done, Straczynski will look for production partners and a director, and the first parties he will approach will be Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro. Ellison’s story won the 1966 Hugo Award and the 1965 Nebula Award, among others.