Machinima, a division of Warner Bros. Digital Networks, announced today a development deal with Greg Russo, the screenwriter of two highly-anticipated feature films based on iconic video game franchises: the forthcoming Mortal Kombat from New Line Cinema and Screen Gems’ Resident Evil.
Russo’s initial project for Machinima will be a live-action adaptation based on Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment’s survival horror game F.E.A.R. (aka First Encounter Assault Recon) for online distribution. The deal was announced by Machinima General Manager Russell Arons as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to working with elite talent to deliver premium content through Machinima Studios, the company’s development unit. Under the pact, Russo will work closely with the Machinima Studios team to create and develop original premium programming for outside buyers.
“Greg is an inspired screenwriter who clearly loves gaming,” said Arons. “To be able to bring his talents to Machinima Studios provides us an amazing opportunity to tackle action-packed series that are certain to appeal to our legions of millennial gamers and fans around the world.”
“As a lifelong gamer, it’s an absolute honor to partner with Machinima, the preeminent provider of digital content to gamers worldwide,” said Russo. “F.E.A.R. holds a special place in my heart. I’m excited to bring my personal passion to this and future projects and can’t wait to see where our partnership goes from here.”
Machinima Studios develops and produces long-form live action and animated series based on iconic gaming IP for traditional and premium digital platforms. F.E.A.R. joins a legacy of ground-breaking gaming content from Machinima, including Mortal Kombat: Legacy and Mortal Kombat: Legacy 2, Street Fighter: Assassin’s Fist and Street Fighter: Resurrection and Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, which have been seen by over 300 million fans to date.
F.E.A.R. is a horror first-person shooter video game franchise established in 2005 and originally developed by Monolith Productions, a wholly owned Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment studio. The series’ story centers around its main antagonist Alma Wade, a powerful psychic girl who has been locked within Armacham Technology Corporation (ATC) where she becomes an unwilling participant in a series of nefarious experiments. Throughout the series, Alma is showcased as a supernatural threat that must be destroyed by any means necessary.
