Adi Shankar's Bootleg Universe

Adi Shankar's Bootleg Universe is a media company founded in 2012 by Indian- American producer Adi Shankar. It began as a YouTube series of unauthorized fan films before evolving into a full-fledged entertainment brand.

List of works

''Bootleg Universe Unauthorized One-Shot Short Films''

The ''Bootleg Universe One-Shot Films'' are an anthology series of unauthorized popular culture satires produced by Shankar.

* '' The Punisher: Dirty Laundry'' (July 15, 2012)
** Live-action short film
** Directed by Phil Joanou
** Written by Chad St. John
** Based on the character Punisher by Marvel Comics
** Thomas Jane reprises his role as Marvel's anti-hero Frank Castle / Punisher from the 2004 film ''The Punisher''.
* ''Venom: Truth In Journalism'' (July 20, 2013)
** Live-action short film
** Directed and written by Joe Lynch
** Based on the character Venom by Marvel Comics
** In a black and white homage to cult Belgian black comedy '' Man Bites Dog'' and set in the late 1980s, Ryan Kwanten stars as Spider-Man's nemesis Eddie Brock.
* ''Judge Dredd: Superfiend'' (October 27, 2014)
** Animated web series
** Directed and written by Enol and Luis Junquera
** Based on the character Judge Dredd by Rebellion Developments
** Loosely adapted from various ''Judge Dredd'' storylines such as ''The Return of Rico'' and ''Boyhood of a Superfiend''. Originally as a 6-episode web series published on October 27, 2014, it was later published as a "Director's Cut" short film on January 4, 2016.
* ''Power/Rangers'' (February 23, 2015)
** Live-action short film
** Directed by Joseph Kahn
** Written by Joseph Kahn, Dutch Southern and James Van Der Beek
** Based on ''Power Rangers'' by Hasbro, Saban Capital Group and Toei Company
** A dark reimagining of ''Mighty Morphin Power Rangers'' that explores a timeline where the Rangers lost. Starring James Van Der Beek and Katee Sackhoff.
* ''James Bond: In Service of Nothing'' (March 2, 2015)
** Animated short film
** Directed and written by Tyler Gibb
** Based on ''James Bond'' by Ian Fleming Publications
** An animated short film in the style of a film animatic, where after 30 years in the agency, James Bond is no longer required for his services leading to his retirement as he tries to adjust himself to a new life in the present.
* ''Mr. Rogers: A War Hero'' (March 20, 2018)
** Live-action short film
** Directed and written by Kenlon Clark
** Based on ''Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' by WQED Studios and The Fred Rogers Company
** A "What if?" scenario based on the longstanding rumor where Fred Rogers served in the Vietnam War and based several characters on ''Mister Rogers' Neighborhood'' from his wartime comrades.
* ''The End of Pokémon'' (April 19, 2019)
** Animated short film
** Directed and written by Enol and Luis Junquera
** Based on ''Pokémon'' by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company
** An animated fake trailer for a dark afterward to the ''Pokémon'' series in which Ash Ketchum tries to end Pokémon battles after the apparent death of his Pikachu.

Television series

Bootleg Multiverse

* ''Castlevania'' (2017–2021)
** When his wife is burned at the stake after being falsely accused of witchcraft, the vampire Count Dracula declares all the people of Wallachia will pay with their lives. He summons an army of demons which overruns the country, causing the people to live lives of fear and distrust. To combat this, the outcast monster hunter Trevor Belmont takes up arms against Dracula's forces, aided by the magician Sypha Belnades and Dracula's dhampir son Alucard.
** The series is based on the video game series by Konami, and is written by Warren Ellis and produced by Frederator Studios, Powerhouse Animation Studios, Shankar Animation, Project 51 Productions and Mua Film. The first season of four 30-minute episodes was released on July 7, 2017. The second season is eight episodes long and was released on October 26, 2018. The ten-episode third season was released on March 5, 2020. The series ended with the release of its fourth season on May 13, 2021.
* ''Castlevania: Nocturne'' (TBA)
** On May 11, 2021, Netflix stated that a new series with a new cast of characters, set in the ''Castlevania'' universe, is being planned and that it won't be a spin-off. The series will be focused on Richter Belmont, a descendant of Trevor and Sypha, alongside Maria Renard during the French Revolution.
* ''Devil May Cry'' (TBA)
** A series based on ''Devil May Cry'' by Capcom is in development, making it the second adaptation of the game after '' Devil May Cry: The Animated Series''. The first season will have eight episodes.
* Untitled ''Assassin's Creed'' series
** A series based on ''Assassin's Creed'' by Ubisoft is in development.
* Untitled ''Hyper Light Drifter'' series
** A series based on '' Hyper Light Drifter'' by Playism and Heart Machine is in development.
* Untitled ''PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds'' series
** A series based on ''PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds'' by Brendan Greene and Krafton is in development.

Originals

* '' The Guardians of Justice''
** A seven episode live-action/animated superhero television series that satirizes DC Comics and the Justice League. The series was released on Netflix on March 1, 2022.
* ''Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix'' (TBA)
** The series was announced in June 2021. It will feature Shankar remixed versions of several prominent Ubisoft properties.

References

External links

''Adi Shankar's Bootleg Universe''
on YouTube

{{Adi Shankar's Bootleg Universe

Short film series
Fan films
American comedy web series
2012 web series debuts