Dead or Alive movie begins production

TOKYO--Tecmo today announced that a movie based on its Dead or Alive fighting game series is in the works and has begun filming. The movie is being directed by Hong Kong action film director Cory Yuen, who also helmed The Transporter and Romeo Must Die. Producing the movie will be Jeremy Bolt, who's no stranger to game-based movies with producing credits on Resident Evil and Resident Evil: Apocalypse. The movie's script was cowritten by J.F. Lawton (Under Siege, Pretty Woman), Adam and Seth Gross (the upcoming Devour), and German screenwriter Granz Henman (Harte Jungs).

Dead or Alive has a budget of $30 million from Constantin Film, a major movie studio and distributor in Germany. It is currently filming on location at Yuzi Paradise and Hengdian World Studios in China. From there it will move on to Hong Kong, where it will wrap.

Tecmo also unveiled the movie's cast, which features several up-and-coming thespians. Taking the role of series heroine Kasumi will be the daughter of Benihana Steakhouse mogul (Rocky Aoki), Devon Aoki. Devon's previous credits include Suki in 2 Fast 2 Furious and Miho in Sin City. Action movie star Kane Kosugi, who recently appeared in Godzilla: Final Wars, will take the role of Ryu Hayabusa. Gamers may also recognize Kosugi as the voice behind Ryu in the animated Street Fighter Alpha.

Other confirmed cast members include Natassia Malthe (Electra) as Ayane, Jaime Pressly (Not Another Teen Movie) as Tina, Sarah Carter (Final Destination 2) as Helena, Australian pop star and actress Holly Valance (National Lampoon's Pledge This) as Christie, professional wrestler Kevin Nash as Bass, and Brian J. White, who's also appearing in the upcoming film adaptation of Tekken, as Zack.

Tecmo is currently developing its fourth installment of the Dead or Alive series, Dead or Alive 4, for Microsoft's Xbox 360. The company hopes to release DOA4 worldwide this winter. For more details on DOA4, check GameSpot’s previous coverage, or follow the link below to the game's high-def trailer.