Dreamworks, EA driving 'Need for Speed' to the big screen

DreamWorks Studios has acquired the feature film rights to EA's popular video game franchise, "Need for Speed," it was announced jointly Friday by DreamWorks CEO and Co-Chair Stacey Snider and EA President of Studios Frank Gibeau.

The franchise has sold 140 million units.

Brothers George and John Gatins developed the original story with George writing the feature's screenplay. The screenplay is based on the "Need for Speed" series, but is not based on an individual game. EA will produce along with John Gatins and Mark Sourian. Scott Waugh ("Act of Valor") is attached to direct, and the project will be fast-tracked at DreamWorks with a target production start date for early next year, for a 2014 release.

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, officials said. 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."

Super Bowl Comercials: 'Act of Valor' trailer

While most of the Super Bowl movie spots were for films not hitting theaters until March or later, "Act of Valor" was one of two February releases to get special TV spots during the big game. (The other being the "Star Wars" 3D re-release.)

As every bit of publicity for the film so far has stated, "Act of Valor" stars active duty Navy Seals and promises to be a more realistic portrayal of the actions of those soldiers.



From what I can tell, the Super Bowl spot reveal little to no new footage not already seen in the existing trailers. While the idea of casting with acting duty soldiers could just be a gimmick, the more I see from  the film, the more I want to see it.

Directed by Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh (who worked together on the documentary short "Navy SWCC"), the Relativity Media film is based on a screenplay from Kurt Johnstad ("300").

The film is rated R for strong violence including some torture, and for language.