Japanese publishers go to the movies
Konami joins Capcom in hawking franchises to Hollywood
Some of the biggest Japanese gaming franchises may well be on their way to the silver screen, with giant publisher Konami becoming the latest company to seek film deals for its properties.
Quoting "sources close to the company", Polygonmag.com today reports that Konami is in negotiations to create films based on the Metal Gear Solid and Castlevania franchises, having already secured a deal with Davis Films to produce a Silent Hill movie.
The move follows on the heels of Capcom's deals for Onimusha and Devil May Cry, both of which are expected to make the transition from small screen to silver screen in the near future.
It's not just Japanese companies signing movie deals, though - continuing the vampiric, demonic themes of the likes of Castlevania and Devil May Cry, Majesco has also signed a production deal for a movie based on its Xbox title, BloodRayne.
The full horror of an evening spent watching Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life hasn't quite dissipated for us as yet, we have to admit, but there's no doubt that Metal Gear Solid has the makings of a cracking movie - although it's hard to imagine anyone but David Hayter lending his vocal talents to Solid Snake. Murmurings from Konami in the past have suggested that they're keen on the concept of a computer animated movie based on MGS, though, so this may not turn out to be a problem...