Universal, Verbinski plan to role-play

Steven Knight to base script on WSJ article

By MICHAEL FLEMING

Universal 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.

Verbinski will develop the film as a directing vehicle; Steven Knight ("Eastern Promises") will pen the script.

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 U-based Blind Wink Prods. banner.

Verbinski made a first-look deal at U after signing on to direct a live-action adaptation of the vidgame "Bioshock." Verbinski most recently set at Universal a remake of 2006 Korean thriller "The Host," with Fredrik Bond set to direct and Mark Poirier to script.

Knight's script credits include "Amazing Grace" and "Dirty Pretty Things."

Read the full article at:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117997496.html

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