“Thief” popular videogame gels film treatment

PanARMENIAN.Net - Straight Up Films has acquired movie rights to Square Enix’s videogame franchise “Thief”, and will produce a movie adaptation with Roy Lee and Adrian Askarieh, Variety reports.

Straight Up principals Marisa Polvino and Kate Cohen will also produce. Straight Up president of production Sandra Condito will serve as executive producer along with Khalid Jones of Source Rock and Square Enix.

Adam Mason and Simon Boyes (“Misconduct”) will write the screenplay.

“Thief” was developed by Eidos-Montréal and published by Tokyo-based Square Enix with three sequels over 18 years. The game is set in a dark fantasy world ruled by a tyrant who exploits dark magic as a means of establishing control.

“This popular game is entirely unique within the genre, which is why we’re particularly excited to be working with these canny, dedicated filmmakers to bring it to the screen,” said Polvino and Cohen.

Straight Up Films co-produced the Johnny Depp sci-fier “Transcendence” for Warner Bros.

Lee will produce under his Vertigo Entertainment shingle. His film credits include exec producing “The Departed” and “The Ring” and producing “The Lego Movie.” Lee is also developing “Death Note,” “The Minecraft Movie” and “Dungeons & Dragons.”

Askarieh, whose credits include “Hitman” and the sequel “Hitman: Agent 47,” will produce under his Prime Universe production banner.