writenews.com Index Advertising Classifieds Feedback Feeds Homepage Linking to Us Our Blog Network Sitemap Subscribe Other Resources Bloggers BlogTM Gamers GameTM HowToWeb® The Internet Writing Journal® Media Books MediaCynic.com ReadersRead.com Shoppers ShopTM Shopping BlogTM Traders TradeTM Watchers Watch WriteJobs.com Writers Write® WWForums.com

News, features and resources for media and publishing professionals. Wednesday, May 29, 2002 Blogs | Subscribe | Interviews | Events | Films | Book Blog Media Cynic | Forum | Advertising | Classifieds | Jobs Columbia Acquires Rights to Deus Ex PC Game Columbia Pictures has optioned the rights to develop a science-fiction action-adventure franchise based on the PC game Deus Ex. The project will be developed and produced by Laura Ziskin, who most recently produced Spider-Man for the studio. Columbia secured the rights to the title from Eidos Interactive, the video gaming company responsible for developing such hit titles as Tomb Raider. Greg Pruss is currently writing the screenplay. "Deus Ex is an exciting world full of great bad guys and good guys with a movie star role in the character of JC Denton. There is an amazing ambition and depth to the story and we're excited that it has attracted a writer of Greg's intelligence and ability," Ziskin said. Like the game, the film will be set in the year 2052 as the world confronts the threat of a crippling disease, economic collapse and the threat of global terrorism. JC Denton is a highly-trained, nano-technology enhanced counter-terrorist who is sworn to protect the government. But as he unravels one conspiracy after another, he must decide between continuing to serve the government or overthrowing it. Eidos is currently developing a sequel to the franchise and expects to begin marketing and distributing the new game early next year. Ziskin brought the project to Columbia Executive Vice President of Production Matt Tolmach, who will oversee the project with Vice President of Production Rachel O'Connor. Marc Evans will oversee the project on behalf of Ziskin's production company. "With the brand awareness of the title and a fantastically conceived hero at the core of this film, we feel we can develop Deus Ex as a potential franchise for the studio," said Peter Schlessel, President of Production for Columbia Pictures. "Our challenge will be capturing all the story elements that have made this one of the most popular PC games and delivering a film that has a distinctive look, execution and feel." Related Links: · Columbia Pictures · Eidos Interactive, Inc. Click here to return to the homepage of The Write NewsTM Click here to subscribe to our free weekly email newsletter. www.writenews.com Copyright © 1997-2007 by Writers Write, Inc. All Rights Reserved.