From computer screen to silver screen

By Marc Saltzman

April 10, 1998
Web posted at: 12:32 PM EDT (1232 GMT)

Computer gaming has finally made it to the mainstream. Need proof? It's not unusual to see television commercials promoting the release of products these days, such as GT Interactive's "Oddworld: Abe's Odysee," nationwide bookstores now display a collection of "Myst" and "Riven"-related novels, and international rock giants U2 featured well-known game characters as a backdrop during their latest Pop Mart tour. So, what's next?

Although there have been rumors circulating for months, three major publishers confessed your favorite game characters are making the leap from the computer screen to the silver screen. That's right, all within a two-week span, three separate movies have been announced based on successful computer games.

'Wing Commander'

Origin Systems announced that casting is complete and principal photography is under way in Luxembourg for the feature film "Wing Commander." Chris Roberts, creator of the "Wing Commander" computer game sci-fi series, will also direct the motion picture. Casting includes Freddie Prinze Jr. ("I Know What You Did Last Summer," "To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday"), Matthew Lillard ("Scream," "Hackers"), Saffron Burrows ("Circle of Friends"), Malcolm McDowell ("Star Trek: Generations," "Tank Girl") and Jurgen Prochnow ("Air Force One," "The English Patient").

"The film will deliver all the action, visual impact and provocative characters the millions of "Wing Commander" fans worldwide have come to expect" says Roberts. "Yet the 'Wing Commander' film features a brand-new storyline, so moviegoers don't need to be familiar with the game to understand or enjoy the film."

There's some exceptional talent behind the cameras as well. Todd Moyer will produce the feature film, having served as co-producer on "The Mask," while production designer Peter Lamont just received an Academy Award nomination for his work on "Titanic."

"Wing Commander: The Movie" is budgeted at $27 million and will be distributed by Fox in the U.S., Canada, and the UK.

'Tomb Raider'

Paramount Pictures has decided to give "Tomb Raider's" Lara Croft the Hollywood treatment. John Goldwyn, president of Paramount, announced the movie company acquired the worldwide film rights from EIDOS Interactive, and the project, set to go into production by summer, will be produced by Lawrence Gordon of "Boogie Nights" and "Field of Dreams" fame.

Although it is undecided who should play the part of the sultry Lara Croft, French model Vanessa Demouy is the top pick in all gaming e-zine polls on the Web. Demouy is a Lara Croft look-alike model that was employed by a French magazine to dress up like the computer game femme fatale. Ever since that semi-nude cover story, rumors have circulated about her involvement in future projects for the "Tomb Raider" franchise.

Gary Keith, director of marketing at EIDOS, denied Demouy's consideration as a likely candidate for the lead role as Lara Croft. "Vanessa Demouy doesn't even speak English so she's not a logical choice" Keith says. "It's too early to talk casting right now".

"Tomb Raider" fans can expect the movie to be an action/adventure hybrid, just like the computer and video game. Indiana Jane, perhaps?

'Duke Nukem'

An exclusive agreement has been reached to pursue a "Duke Nukem" film between intellectual property management company Threshold Entertainment, software publisher GT Interactive Software Corp., and game developers 3D Realms.

The action movie will be based on the best-selling PC and video game franchise, with stunning special effects, an involved storyline and plot, and of course, Duke's famous politically incorrect comments.

George Broussard, one of the two partners at 3D Realms, admits the "Duke Nukem" product line is growing considerably, with over three million titles sold across all major platforms, not to mention Duke Nukem dolls and T-shirts.

"We all feel great about the movie deal, and it's a chance to expand the franchise even more ... even though 'Duke (Nukem) 3D' has been out for over two years, people don't seem to get tired of Duke products and always want more," Broussard says. "And there are still comic and apparel talks in progress".

As for casting, Broussard concedes no one has been chosen for the lead role just yet, but talks are in progress behind closed doors.

"Nobody has been ruled out and there are some great choices that standout: Arnold, Howie Long, Kurt Russell, Bruce Willis and twenty others have all been tossed around, but nothing is beyond the talk stages." Broussard continues, "We're obviously interested in casting a guy that looks the part and lives up to what fans of the games would expect ... we see the casting of Duke as a paramount issue in the movie."

This is not the first time Threshold Entertainment has ported a game into a full-length movie. Last year they produced "Mortal Kombat Annihilation," the follow up to the successful 1995 New Line Cinema film, "Mortal Kombat."

Computer and video game fans can expect more movie news along these lines. The owners of the fruitful "Doom" and "Quake" franchises have also been talking with Hollywood heavies about bringing id software's heroes into theaters sometime in 1999.

Related sites:

• Origin Systems
• EIDOS Interactive: Tomb Raider
• 3D Realms: Duke Nukem

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