Bruckheimer Films buys Prince of Persia film rights

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time looks set to follow the likes of Resident Evil and Street Fighter onto the big screen, according to a report on Variety.com that Jerry Bruckheimer Films is negotiating a seven-figure deal to buy the rights.

Encouragingly though, word is that the deal includes a script penned by series creator Jordan Mechner, who also came up with the entertaining script behind The Sands of Time - one of our favourite releases of 2003 - and that the subject matter is being handled in a similar way to Pirates of the Caribbean, as Mechner himself explains:

"Rather than do a straight beat-for-beat adaptation of the new videogame, we're taking some cool elements from the game and using them to craft a new story - much as 'Pirates' did with the theme park ride," he said this week. Another thing in common with Pirates is that the game is earmarked as a Disney feature film, with executive veepee of production Jason Reed overseeing the project for the Mickey Mouse outfit.

According to executive producer John August, who is supervising Mechner's script, the Prince in the film will be a bit like a 9th century Indiana Jones. "He's fourth in line to the throne, with no shot of ever becoming king," says August, "So it's given him permission to lead a very reckless and exciting life."

With any luck, the film will become one of Bruckheimer's big summer blockbusters, rather than a bit part player in a crowded calendar, hopefully ensuring the attachment of big names (Johnny Depp as the Prince, anybody? Kristan suggests Guy Pearce), and will be produced by Bruckheimer himself, and exec produced by Mechner along with Bruckheimer Films' Mike Stenson and Chad Oman.

Hopefully we'll be able to bring you more on this as it gathers steam! If not, we'll just turn back time and try again...

Oh, and cheers to Whizzo for the link!