DreamWorks Studios and EA have announced, via press-release, that the two companies will partner together in producing the first film based on the popular video game series ‘Need for Speed’. 
 
The announcement was made by DreamWorks CEO and Co-Chair Stacey Snider and EA President of Studios Frank Gibeau. Although the movie will not be based on any particular title, it will encompass the series as a whole. It was stated that brothers George and John Gatins have developed the original story with George writing the feature’s screenplay. The ‘Need for Speed’ franchise is one of gamings more lucrative series, selling more than 140 million units worldwide, and generating an estimated $4 billion in retail revenue.
 
In the press-release EA has stated that the project will be “fast-tracked at DreamWorks with a target production start date for early next year, for a 2014 release”. In a statement prepared for the press EA talks about the new film stating:

The film adaptation will be a fast-paced, high-octane film rooted in the tradition of the great car culture films of the 70s while being extremely faithful to the spirit of the video game franchise. In Need for Speed, the cars are hot, the racing is intense and the story keeps players at the edge of their seat.

“I’m excited about getting back into the creative trenches with John and George Gatins and my partners at EA to bring to life an exhilarating script based on an epic video game that seems to have been made for the movies,” said Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Chairman. “This is a big piece of business for DreamWorks and we are grateful to Frank Gibeau, Pat O’Brien, Kevin Maher and John and George for choosing us to deliver their goods.”
 
“George, John and EA brought a very compelling story to us which we believe is going to make a fun, cool movie franchise,” said Stacey Snider, CEO and Co-Chair of DreamWorks. “With such a large following around the globe, we’re excited to make a film that does justice to the popular underlying video game series.”
 
“We are thrilled to be in business with our friends Steven Spielberg, Stacey Snider and the entire DreamWorks team,” said Frank Gibeau, President of EA Labels. “They are the perfect partner to take Need for Speed to the big screen by creating the exciting action film that we have always envisioned.”
 
“It’s fantastic to be working with a team that shares not only our love of cars, but also our passion for creating blockbuster action experiences. This collaboration will be greatly enhanced with the team at DreamWorks – which is a great home for the Need for Speed franchise,” said Patrick Soderlund, Executive Vice President, EA Games Label. Added Pat O’Brien, Vice President of EA Entertainment: “Working with John and George to develop the script has truly been an outstanding experience.”

22 Jun 2024 by John Stewart Contact email , twitter more news Gaming Headlines