Need for Speed movie on the way

It’s official – DreamWorks Studios has acquired the feature film rights to EA’s Need for Speed series. It was announced jointly today by DreamWorks CEO and Co-Chair Stacey Snider and EA President of Studios Frank Gibeau.

 

Frankly I am surprised that it took this long for this to happen considering the success of movies like Gone in 60 seconds and The Fast and the Furious as well as the success of the Need for Speed series.

The screenplay is based on the Need for Speed series, but is not based on an individual game. EA will produce along with John Gatins and Mark Sourian. Scott Waugh (Act of Valor) is attached to direct, and the project will be fast-tracked at DreamWorks with a target production start date for early next year, for a 2014 release. The film adaptation will be a fast-paced, high-octane film rooted in the tradition of the great car culture films of the 70s while being extremely faithful to the spirit of the video game franchise. In Need for Speed, the cars are hot, the racing is intense and the story keeps players at the edge of their seat.

“I’m excited about getting back into the creative trenches with John and George Gatins and my partners at EA to bring to life an exhilarating script based on an epic video game that seems to have been made for the movies,” said Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Chairman. “This is a big piece of business for DreamWorks and we are grateful to Frank Gibeau, Pat O’Brien, Kevin Maher and John and George for choosing us to deliver their goods.”

I’m glad they are all excited, however I am not. Don’t get me wrong I think the movie will be a success and will do great things for the NFS gaming series and sales, I’m just really not interested in another F&F style movie. It’s just more fun getting behind the virtual wheel and will remain that way.