question of the day: Leonardo da Vinci, action hero: is the prospect terrifying or awesome?

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present your next action hero: Leonardo da Vinci. Oh yes. From Variety:

Universal Pictures Intl. is looking to launch an action-adventure centered on the young Leonardo da Vinci, snapping up Jonny Kurzman's "Leonardo" spec and setting it up with Larry and Charles Gordon.

Story is focused on da Vinci's quest to stop Renaissance Europe from returning to the Dark Ages.

Somehow I bet this does not involve a multi-decade plan to boost literacy throughout Europe, thwart the influence of the Church through logic and reason, and elevate the status of women so that they may be more active participants in civic culture.

The painter of the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper was also a mathematician, architect, sculptor, writer, scientist and inventor -- including concepts for a helicopter, a tank, solar power, a calculator and the double hull.

Ha! He’s like James Bond and Q all in one no doubt devastatingly handsome package.

Back in March 2010, we talked about historical figures as action heroes, and briefly touched on Leonardo’s then imminent plundering by Hollywood. Now, the moment is upon us.