Tekken: The Movie

This article comes from Highwaygames.com

The popular fighting game Tekken just added its name to the ever-growing list of games that are making their way to the big screen. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Crystal Sky Entertainment and Japan's Gaga Communications will develop the Tekken movie in association with the game's developer, Namco.

The Tekken franchise is one of the most popular (and lucrative) in all of gaming. The original Tekken and its many sequels have been arcade hits for years, and more recently on PCs, and platforms like the Sony PlayStation and PlayStation 2. Combined sales of all Tekken titles account for over 18 million units worldwide.

Crystal Sky's president and CEO Steven Paul reportedly acquired the rights from Namco after a fierce bidding war. "Tetsu Fujimura, CEO of Gaga, and I have wanted to make a big commercial movie together for a long time. I have had a long and wonderful relationship with (him) and Masaya Nakamura, chairman of Namco, for over 12 years now. The time was right, and Tekken was the perfect game to pursue our dreams together. The game has fun characters and is a wonderful story. Unlike some other games, this has a whole style of its own and is a really fun piece that is very commercial."

No director has been attached, but Paul says that potential helmers and casting choices are being considered now. Crystal Sky is looking to get the movie into production as soon as possible. The live-action film will reportedly require heavy CG visual effects, and is budgeted at around $60 million.

Mike Nevin, managing director of Namco Europe said: "This is the first time that a Namco game will have transferred on to the big screen. The popularity of the Tekken brand suggests a potential box office hit and the project is being taken very seriously indeed."

Source: Film Force & Press Release.