This news may fall into either the good or bad news category depending on where your feelings lie about film adaptations of video games. Last month word surfaced that Electronic Arts had decided to shop around a film adaptation of their long running Need For Speed franchise, which all together seemed like an odd thing to do considering the more cinematic properties the company has such as Army of Two. But trying to question or understand the motives of game and movie studios is never an easy thing and I doubt even Stephen Hawking would be able to make much sense of the matter.
Anyway, it seems like EA actually found a suitor for the theatrical based NFS franchise as DreamWorks has apparently picked up the rights to distribute and produce the film. As per Hollywood tradition when a film is finally picked up, details on the NFS film are scarce but there are some noteworthy updates.
Aside from DreamWorks picking the film up, presumably to be the next big action franchise for the studio alongside Transformers, the NFS film may be directed by Scott Waugh who made his big Hollywood debut earlier this year with the film “Act of Valor”.
It seems like Scott Waugh is DreamWorks’ guy to bring the NFS film to life despite only directing a film that was one step away from being a full-on propaganda piece. Details on Waugh’s participation in the NFS film hasn't been confirmed 100%, and it’s possible he may leave the project as some director’s do on certain projects, but supposedly Waugh is contributing to the script of the film which was conceived by George Gatins (Real Steel).
A NFS movie may still seem like a complete waste of resources or the last video game that is worthy of receiving a cinematic adaptation, but I’m a sucker for Hollywood chase movies so I’m willing to give the movie a shot. The director of choice for the project may be a sign that DreamWorks isn’t ready to prepare the NFS film as a premier marquee tent pole film, but I’m sure DreamWorks won’t put together a haphazard action film as they haven’t done such a thing before and aren’t known to produce half-assed movies all the time.
It wasn’t mentioned when DreamWorks plans to release the NFS film but it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to imagine it as a potential 2014 release unless the project enters development hell.
With a director in place the next major wave of news for the NFS film will likely revolve the presumably teen/male demographic catered cast which will probably include a hot model that can’t act, and an everyday gruff male lead. If the failure of John Carter and Battleship hasn’t imploded Taylor Kitsch’s career maybe we can expect to see him in NFS since he fits the “I’m edgy but relatable mold” so well.
[via Variety]
