Legendary Pictures planning Epic acquisition?

  • By thorsen-ink, GameSpot
  • Posted Oct 24, 2008 2:58 pm PT

Source: Variety, the publication of record for the movie industry. What we heard: For anyone who has been locked in a sensory deprovation tank this year, here's some news. The Dark Knight is the second-highest-grossing film in US history, having taken in over $520 million domestically since...

Source: Variety, the publication of record for the movie industry.

What we heard: For anyone who has been locked in a sensory deprovation tank this year, here's some news. The Dark Knight is the second-highest-grossing film in US history, having taken in over $520 million domestically since its July 18 debut. As a result, its production studio Legendary Pictures, which was also behind the hits 300 and Batman Begins, is cash-flush and primed for new business ventures.

According to Variety, Legendary's next move might not have to do with movies at all. Citing "multiple sources," the Hollywood trade contends the film production company is "in negotiations to acquire Epic Games, the North Carolina-based developer of videogames including Gears of War." As the publication notes, the move comes under a fortnight after Legendary CEO Thomas Tull abruptly quit the board of Brash Entertainment, a developer founded in 2007 which focuses exclusively on games based on films.

So far, Brash's track record has been spotty, with releases such as Space Chimps and Alvin and the Chimpmunks getting subbasement level reviews--when they were reviewed at all. The same obviously can't be said for Epic: Unreal Tournament III got solid marks on three platforms, and Gears of War was many outlets'--including GameSpot's--2006 game of the year.

The official story: "What I told Variety was that 'We're not going to comment on the rumor' and that 'We have already publicly announced that we're working with Legendary pictures on the Gears of War movie and that we have the utmost respect for Thomas Tull and his organization.'"--Epic Games vice president Mark Rein.

Bogus or not bogus?: Unclear. Rein's nondenial denial doesn't do anything to clarify the waters muddied by the Variety story. However, there's no question Legendary has a keen interest in games. The company holds the film rights to World of Warcraft, and is bankrolling the big-screen adaptation of Gears of War. Epic design director Cliff Bleszinski is executive-producing said movie, and only has good things to say about the Len Wiseman-directed project.

The question is, does Epic want to be bought? Currently the studio is financially independent enough to negotiate a sweetheart deal with Electronic Arts to publish its forthcoming shooter from its Polish subsidiary, Painkiller-maker People Can Fly. Past rumors had it spurring the advances of Microsoft--which is considerably more loaded dollarwise than Legendary. Why would it succumb to a movie studio's advances when it could get a blank check from the software giant?

121 Comments

  • lahdeedah

    Posted Nov 17, 2008 5:57 pm PT

    Epic Games should stay it's own company. Why? I don't want other companies screwing their great games up. If they chose to group with a company it should be midway. Look at Unreal Tournament, but otherwise stay as Epic Games.

  • goatheadman1

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 4:03 pm PT

    Why Gears...why not Halo,MGS,Starwars-FU...gears didnt have that great of a story...

  • goatheadman1

    Posted Nov 9, 2008 3:57 pm PT

    well final fantacy had sucky movies, I expect the same for this

  • king23_

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 2:07 pm PT

    Sorry, but I don't think a Gears of War movie would turn out too good.

  • tudyniuz

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 10:19 am PT

    I just pre-ordered Legendary

  • andrew_ribbons

    Posted Oct 30, 2008 4:27 pm PT

    I don't get why MS and Epic don't get together, they already do big projects together and are quite comfortable in their relationship as far as i'm aware.

  • Fareru

    Posted Oct 29, 2008 4:10 pm PT

    Oh my, this could either be very very good, or very very bad. On one hand, Epic games might be able to produce a games based on a movie that is actually good, which is rare. But on the other hand it could deteriorate the quality of Epic games in that the funding would be in the control of the movie giant and, I'm sure it would happen, the movies would win out over the games in a lot of instances.

    We'll have to see what happens.

  • TehUndeadHorror

    Posted Oct 29, 2008 12:28 am PT

    Mmmm Epic.

  • tudyniuz

    Posted Oct 28, 2008 10:31 am PT

    I hope it will be a good game...really

  • ElectrolightSH

    Posted Oct 28, 2008 6:41 am PT

    I was hoping that Microsoft would acquire Epic Games and I am surprised EA hasn't already.

  • cell_100

    Posted Oct 28, 2008 3:15 am PT

    hope the gears movie isnt live action would be best in CGI

  • Chief_Kuuni

    Posted Oct 28, 2008 12:54 am PT

    well who knows what's going on, I bet they aren't buying epic, I think it's just some rumor people cooked up

  • john-cena112

    Posted Oct 28, 2008 12:01 am PT

    Now look at this , i really like legendary , but why do they want to interfere with the gaming world? Especially with a company like Epic. I think Epic shouldn't accept this deal. But, it could also be really great for Epic. Let's just leave it to the companies to decide.

  • john-cena112

    Posted Oct 28, 2008 12:00 am PT

    Now look at this , i really like legendary , but why do they want to interfere with the gaming world? Especially with a company like Epic. I think Epic shouldn't accept this deal. But, it could also be really great for Epic. Let's just leave it to the companies to decide.

  • Terminate421

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 7:24 pm PT

    Must get Gears 2.......must keep microsoft from messing up the Halo movie........must see Gears movie if it is confirmed 100% to be made.

  • Sydwynder

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 6:06 pm PT

    Legendary has been involved in 3 of my favorite movies in the last 5 years and Gears is just a powerhouse franchise that I'm pumped for so......could be very good indeed.

  • I1yodsyo1I

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 4:36 pm PT

    Bogus.

  • prioritymail

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 2:12 pm PT

    What other movie-worth games does epic make besides gears?

  • Homerj

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 10:59 am PT

    If they fire Rein and force Blezsinsky into making a major mea culpa to the PC and 360 communities...I might actually care.

  • jadefury27

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 9:42 am PT

    i thought epic just completed an agreement with ea?

  • fistoflight

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 9:41 am PT

    lmao if they take over epic games sony owns shares in legendary pictures and warner bros....

  • JoshChambers

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 9:11 am PT

    this will never happen. They make a good point though, if anything M$ would swoop them up if they wanted to be bought. They have too many good licenses that M$ would love to own 100%.

  • nillod

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 7:42 am PT

    hmm, could be good or it could be bad. you can never really tell. i mean just look at the wii. i'll bet very few people expected its success. personally, i don't think it'll be bad if it happens

  • PandaBear86

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 6:56 am PT

    I think that a good movie studio buying a good gaming studio has the potential to make a strong connection between the movie industry and games industry. Either way, just buy Epic before EA does. As long as I don't see any "Gears of War Holiday expansion" and "Unreal Tournament: Apartment Life" and so forth every 6 months I'm happy.

  • sgt-hawkins

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 6:37 am PT

    i dont see how this is damageing to either if nothing else now instead of previews of movies, you will get previews of games lol. but seirously i think they both will benefit from this in a lot of ways considering how closly video games are to movies these days( I am talking about some of the special effects btw)

  • Lance_Kalzas

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 5:20 am PT

    Very intelligent post Zerabp; I couldn't have said it better myself. People, when you're writing these posts, put some thought behind it instead of just spouting off whatever.

  • thenewau25

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 3:14 am PT

    half movie games? no more gears of war crap? yes make some stories!

  • Zerabp

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 2:54 am PT

    I think most of your opinions are laughable and show why you are posting here like me and not in the business itself. Here's my take in it, both companies are run by very competent people who know what direction they want to take their business. Both companies will and probably are looking at the good and the bad behind such a decision. If both can come to an agreement than I'm sorry judging from how well both are being run i don't see how it could be a bad thing. Epic cares about it's ips and it;s development engines, legendary has shown equal care in the films they make to stay true to the essence and feel of whatever they are basing their projects on. I have a lot more faith tin the people running both companies then any of you are giving them credit for. After-all it wouldn't be about the money as they could have that with EA, or MS, if for some reason they went trough with it it would be because Legendary's goals with their company matched there own and both had found a way to form a mutually beneficial symbiosis. What I'm saying is if they accept it will be good. If they decline it will be good. Why? Because they know what and where they want their company and will make good decisions about it like they have in the past. Also to those making fun of the WoW film. Blizzard has yet to release a poor game, they had multiple offers from multiple stupios for the rights to WoW. They even laughed at Uwe Boll over the phone and said "Hell No! Especially not to you!. Chances are if you like their games you will like the film, if you don't like their games who cares what you think of their film. Just my two cents.

  • igl

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 2:11 am PT

    The "From the makers of Gears of War"-sticker on the back of UT3 broke my heart. (So did UT3 in general) Oh Epic, I wont miss you.

  • TheHappyCamper

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 1:57 am PT

    So if Legendary already has the rights to make the Gears of War movie, the only reason they have for wanting to acquire Epic would be a monetary one. And as the article states: If Epic isn't intrested in getting a fat check from Microsoft, why would they take a smaller one from Legendary?

  • iAkuma

    Posted Oct 27, 2008 1:13 am PT

    No, just no. I can't picture epic games going this way. I hope they don't do it. They've always been smart with business moves... So let's just wait and see.

  • accretia27

    Posted Oct 26, 2008 11:12 pm PT

    To: Raven1504
    Shut up!!!

  • firehawk998

    Posted Oct 26, 2008 10:12 pm PT

    Ok if Legendary Pictures makes a GOW movie it should do good. Given that thier recent offerings are the Dark Knight but if some way UWE BOLL ( you guys wil know him) directs it into a movie it will flop. Uwe Boll+ Movies based on Videogames = Epic Fail

  • Adversary16

    Posted Oct 26, 2008 9:21 pm PT

    Considering that Legendary Pictures presented us with epic titles like 300, The Dark Knight and Batman Begins, it might actually be a good thing.

  • Warheart1188

    Posted Oct 26, 2008 8:15 pm PT

    Raven 1504 said:

    "OHH HOW SAD! even though i never and never will like games like that it would be really good to see the faces of xbots when they see the PS3 verion of GEARS OF !@@#"

    What a dumbass. This has nothing to with Gears, or Xbox 360, or PS3. You, sir, need to be slapped for your stupidity and for being a flaming PS3 fanboy.

  • Cheesewagon

    Posted Oct 26, 2008 5:35 pm PT

    Gears of war movie? i thought they werent gona make 1.

  • tudyniuz

    Posted Oct 26, 2008 3:58 pm PT

    I hope it will be great

  • Raven1504 posted Oct 26, 2008 2:56 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Raven1504

    Posted Oct 26, 2008 2:56 pm PT (hide)

    OHH HOW SAD! even though i never and never will like games like that it would be really good to see the faces of xbots when they see the PS3 verion of GEARS OF !@@#

  • Drz4tobate

    Posted Oct 26, 2008 2:51 pm PT

    Woooohh it would be a big move for legendary but personaly i think Epic is good by itself!! they making a good amount of money and theirs games are getting better and better!! that even if they would be able to count on a bigger budget if they become part of legendary...

  • CJFreeze

    Posted Oct 26, 2008 11:32 am PT

    Lets hope they make a ridiculously SICK next gen 300 game!!

  • IXIWhistIXI

    Posted Oct 26, 2008 9:32 am PT

    I don't think epic games needs any more money put into its games. It's not like they didn't have a big enough budget to do basically anything they wanted with gow2.
    They don't need to be taken over by a movie company with even MORE money. All I can see happening is stupid regulations imposed and a terrible gow3 that the devs don't even want to make because of the regulations but they have to anyways.
    But I can't see the price legendary is paying being anything below insane so I wouldn't BLAME them for taking the offer. I just won't be happy.

  • wswedin

    Posted Oct 26, 2008 9:22 am PT

    There is no way, this could be worse than EA games acquiring them. But, I would much rather have this not happen. Media is supposed to have its own form, and keep it to themselves. If you had, the new york times, bought by say... hollywood. Who, in turn, bought some of the music industry, which bought, part of the gaming industry. You would have crap flowing out of every faucet in your house.

  • NickAnguiano

    Posted Oct 26, 2008 8:46 am PT

    I can't really think of any truly good game based movie. There are some that are only arguably OK but I don't think we'll be seeing a any game based movies winning oscars any time soon haha. I agree that the biggest problem with game based movies is they have to squeeze it into like 2 or so hours. Also any movie based on like World of Warcraft for instance I don't think has a very good chance of doing well. There is no real story to the game so whatever story they would try to tell is going to piss off a large amount of people nomatter what. If it had to be a warcraft movie I think one based on like warcraft 3 would at least have a chance at doing better. Gears of War movie to me has the chance at being the most successful of any game based movie. That or maybe Dead Space which I think they're already looking into making a movie about that too so cool.

  • iRevive

    Posted Oct 26, 2008 8:27 am PT

    Dont forget that most of the s*it-game-films was done by Uwe Boll, the Film-Terrorist. Dont judge WoW movie too fast it can be gorgeous, they have an awesome story to make a film about, even a trilogy (agaaain XD).
    Im not saying that they should make game films though... They always screw em up a bit cause they have to squeeze it into 2 hours...

  • IRoxxorUrSoxxor

    Posted Oct 26, 2008 12:46 am PT

    I really don't like the idea of this deal, so I'm glad that it makes no financial sense of Epic.

    *for Epic.

  • HAMODA posted Oct 26, 2008 12:17 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    HAMODA

    Posted Oct 26, 2008 12:17 am PT (hide)

    i think that they must make METAL GEAR SOLID movie !!!

  • Terdog

    Posted Oct 25, 2008 9:11 pm PT

    I really hope Epic is not bought by anyone. I would rather them stay independent from everyone else. Not very many companies like them left. Can almost count them on one hand.

  • surdanis

    Posted Oct 25, 2008 8:47 pm PT

    omg. World of Warcraft movie. ugh. you'd think after the D&D disaster, they'd forget about making movies out of something without a real, compelling story. now Halo would be awesome, but nooo...

  • Thing2

    Posted Oct 25, 2008 8:32 pm PT

    i don't understand why they have to buy them? can't they just partner and work on it together? anyway, i have no mind for business but i'm glad to see cliffy's producing, i can't wait

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