13 videogames being made into films

Yesterday, we dug up 38 old films that are currently in the process of being remade. Today? Here are thirteen computer games coming to the big screen…

EverQuestThe huge online role playing game is currently in the hands of writer Michael ‘300’ Gordon, who is penning a screenplay for a potential 2010 film.

Max PaynePersonally, I love the Max Payne games, and consider it a blight on the face of gamers everywhere that they weren’t more popular. But they’re very movie friendly, and that’s why filming has now commenced on a movie that may yet re-start the gaming franchise, too. Mark Wahlberg is starring, and John Moore (not the one who writes for us, rather the one who remade The Omen) is directing.

Kane & LynchEidos’s 2007 game seemed to be made with the big screen in mind, and thus Lionsgate has picked up the tale of two Death Row inmates on the run. Jieho Lee is in negotiations to direct the film, which could move into production this year.

Gears of WarUnderworld and Die Hard 4.0 director Len Wiseman is being linked with a live action version of Microsoft’s Xbox 360 hit game. Stuart Beattie is currently writing a screenplay (his credits include Pirates of the Caribbean, Collateral and the upcoming Spy Hunter). It’s still in the early stages of production, though.

Spy HunterTalking of Spy Hunter, the classic 80s arcade game (which re-emerged reasonably recently) is also being scribed by Stuart Beattie for the big screen treatment. Paul W S Anderson is down to direct the film, which is still at the writing stage.

HaloPeter Jackson was linked to the project once upon a time, and Alex Garland has been working on a script. Yet the whole project seemed to hit the buffers last year, and thus far, there’s little sign of it coming back to life. Proposed director Neill Bloomkamp stated that he though the project was dead last Autumn, and he could well be right…

Prince of Persia Sands Of Time Brit director Mike Newell has signed on the dotted line for the big screen Prince Of Persia outing, which has original creator Jordan Mechner involved in the script. Jerry Bruckheimer is producing, and the film is now in pre-production. Cast is yet to be confirmed, but it’ll be on the screen next year.

Splinter CellA film based on the Tom Clancy-branded stealth/action game is in the early negotiations stage right now. That’s make a finished product some way away…

Mortal KombatAnother film in one of the more successful videogame franchises, this one has Christopher Lambert rumoured to be attached, but no script so far. Doesn’t usually stop them where game-to-film adaptations are concerned…

Metal Gear SolidThe game that pretty much popularised the stealth genre in games is coming to cinema screens, possibly as early as next year. Michael De Luca – who also has Ghost Rider on his CV – is producing, but no cast or director details yet.

Devil May CryCapcom has apparently signalled its attention for a film to be made around another one of its popular franchises (after Resident Evil), and while little else is known about the Devil May Cry movie project, 2010 has been pencilled in for its release.

Rainbow SixJohn Woo is producing, but seemingly not directing, a movie adaptation of another Tom Clancy-branded videogame franchise. Rainbow Six is a bit more action packed, mind. Zach Snyder was attached, but apparently isn’t any more.

Broken Sword: The Shadow Of The TemplarsThe adventure game series is ripe for a film, and so one is being written right about now. Charles Cecil – who created the series – is attached as Executive Producer, and a 2009 released is planned.

Bah. No sign of Manic Miner: The Movie, then…