Beginning in the late 1980s, new wave rock band Sparks attempted to make Mai, the Psychic Girl into a musical, with interest from Tim Burton and Carolco Pictures, who purchased the film rights in August 1991. Carolco hoped Burton would start production in 1992, but he chose to work on The Nightmare Before Christmas and Ed Wood for Disney. The option on the film rights eventually expired, and Burton dropped out. Francis Ford Coppola later developed the property in the 1990s. In June 2000, Sony Pictures Entertainment started on a new different project with Kirk Wong attached to direct. By February 2001, a script had been written by Lisa Addario and Joey Syracuse for Sony's Columbia Pictures. The release of The Seduction of Ingmar Bergman, a radio musical by Sparks, in August 2009, was informed by the six years the band spent trying to get their Mai, the Psychic Girl produced. The album generated new interest, and gained a "second wind", vocalist Russell Mael explained. "The music is all ready and we are hoping that this still might see the light of day". In 2010, Burton expressed renewed interest in adapting the property. Reception Mai, the Psychic Girl was well received by critics and readers in America (more than in its native Japan), and is recognized as an important first step in the gradual popularity of manga in America. Many praised the series for avoiding typical superhero cliches and for also introducing many readers to the world of manga. References Further reading External links "On Mai, the Psychic Girl" by Julian Darius at Sequart Action anime and manga Eclipse Comics titles Ryoichi Ikegami Shogakukan manga Shōnen manga Science fiction anime and manga Viz Media manga