From Game To Screen

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With revenue that rivals the box office, video games are ripe for Hollywood makeovers. We continue our look at some of the biggest upcoming game-to-film conversions.

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Gears of War

Two smash action games means one thing -- movie time! New Line Cinema locked up the film rights to this Xbox 360 series in early 2007, which is currently slated for a 2010 release. Directed by Len Wiseman (Underworld) and penned by Chris Morgan (Wanted), the Gears movie is expected to be a gritty action romp, though gamers longing for authenticity shouldn't fear: Gears designer Cliff Bleszinski will serve as an executive producer. No word yet as to who will play lead grunt Marcus Fenix, though.

Pitch it: War of the Worlds meets Predator.
Ditch it: We love the roadie-run as much as the next guy, but turning Gears' hackneyed plot into a feature film takes more brains than brawn.

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The Sims

No story, no main characters, and no marketing angle? "No problem!" proclaimed 20th Century Fox, who in 2007 blew gamer minds by announcing that they picked up the rights to a film version of Will Wright's enormously popular social experiment. The resulting film project is being produced by John Davis (Norbit), who recently explained that the movie will star teenagers in a story about wish-fulfillment gone awry.

Pitch it: Weird Science meets Neighbors meets The Stepford Wives.
Ditch it: Ninety minutes of watching an animated dollhouse full of mannequins with severe bladder issues doesn't sound very fun.

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Tekken

Once thought to be forever locked in development limbo (it's been postponed three times), the movie version of Namco's fighting phenom could be poised for a legit comeback in 2009. It follows the tale of devil-plagued fighter Jin Kazama (played by John Foo), who enters - you guessed it - the secretive Tekken fighting tournament to track down his accursed family. After a director carousel, it's been settled that Dwight H. Little (Halloween 4) will helm.

Pitch it: Enter the Dragon meets Constantine.
Ditch it: Did you read the plot synopsis?

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God of War

Gamers have been clamoring for a film based on Sony's vengeful demigod since it first hit shelves in 2005. That classical dream could become a modern day reality, although we're not entirely sure when. A script by noted screenwriter David Self (Road to Perdition) has been completed, and ex-X-Men director Brett Ratner is lined up to direct.

Pitch it: Clash of the Titans meets 300.
Ditch it: Seriously effects-heavy. If it doesn't score a titanic budget, that could pose a problem.

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Return to Castle Wolfenstein

Demonic Nazis, your time is drawing nearer. With acclaimed writer/director Roger Avary (Beowulf) on board, this WWII frightfest based on the old PC first-person shooter actually carries some serious street cred. Same goes to Avary, an ex-programmer and avid gamer. He's reportedly working on the script right now, so expect the harrowing tale of BJ Blazkowicz to eventually reach the big screen.

Pitch it: Saving Private Ryan meets A Triumph of the Will meets Evil Dead II.
Ditch it: See above.