Universal Studios and "Pirates of the Caribbean" helmer Gore Verbinski have acquired a 2007 Wall Street Journal article they will use as the basis for a film about the online fantasy role-playing world and its detrimental impact on the real lives of players, says Variety. Verbinski will develop the project as a directing vehicle and Steven Knight (Eastern Promises) will pen the script.
According to the trade paper, the article by Alexandra Alter focuses on a married man who spends as many as 20 hours a day on a computer, existing through an avatar who is a thriving, musclebound entrepreneur. In reality, he is a diabetic, chain-smoking 53-year-old.
Verbinski will produce with Alain Chabat, Stephanie Danan and Sarah Shepard of WAM Films. The project takes root at the studio through Verbinski's Universal-based Blind Wink Productions banner.
Verbinski made a first-look deal at Universal after signing on to direct a live-action adaptation of the video game "Bioshock." Verbinski most recently set up at Universal a remake of 2006 Korean thriller "The Host," with Fredrik Bond on board to direct and Mark Poirier to script.
