'Dead' deal makes Impact

Helmer Yuen to direct pic for Constantin arm

By ED MEZA

BERLIN -- Hong Kong helmer Corey Yuen has signed up to direct "Dead or Alive" (aka "DOA") for Impact Pictures, a subsidiary of Germany's leading independent production and distribution company Constantin Film.

Based on Tecmo's best-selling "Dead or Alive" videogame franchise, the script was penned by J.F. Lawton ("Under Siege," "Pretty Woman").

Impact's Jeremy Bolt and Paul Anderson are producing with partners Mindfire Entertainment and Entertainment Licensing. Robert Kulzer, head of production at Constantin in Los Angeles, and Steve Chasman of Current Entertainment will executive produce.

Production is planned for the end of the year after Yuen has wrapped "Transporter 2," the sequel to 2002's "The Transporter," for producer Luc Besson.

"DOA" continues Impact and Constantin's exploitation of videogame properties, which began with the 2002 hit "Resident Evil," based on Capcom's videogame of the same name. The companies' follow-up, "Resident Evil: Apolcalypse," is being released in September.

Marsha Metz, executive VP business & legal affairs at Constantin, negotiated the deal on behalf of Impact and Constantin. Steve Chasman of Current Entertainment and Phil Rymer of Stormy Films represented Yuen.