Len Wiseman ready for ‘Gears of War’

By Patrick Luce Jun 17, 2008, 14:04 GMT

Cover art from X-Box 360\'s "Gears of War" release.

Len Wiseman is set to direct New Line's adaptation of Microsoft and Epic Games' "Gears of War."

Variety reports Chris Morgan (“Wanted” and "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift") is working on the current screenplay for the adaptation of the hit video game. Stuart Beattie turned in the first draft of the film.

In addition to directing the film, Wiseman will have a hand in developing the film’s story with Morgan. The duo is also working on the sci-fi thriller "Shell Game" for Lakeshore Entertainment and Columbia Pictures. He is also at work producing the third installment of the “Underworld” franchise.

"Gears of War" is set in a world that has suffered an invasion from an alien species known as the Locust. It follows a small team of elite soldiers who fight to retake the planet and save its inhabitants.

New Line picked up the film rights to the game in 2007. Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey will produce the film through Temple Hill. The game’s lead designer Cliff Bleszinski is set to handle executive producing duties on the film and consult on its development for Epic.

"Gears of War" is Microsoft's second-biggest title - right behind the “Halo” franchise. Epic gave the game a huge backstory so that it would be easy to move it into other areas (such as film or novels).

New Line was planning on having the film in theaters by the summer of 2009, but will likely have to delay that release.