GRIN widens with Warner and Universal deal

Universal Pictures’ digital platforms group has fast-tracked development of a new game based on box office hit Wanted, and has turned to Swedish developer GRIN to handle development and fellow Hollywood giant Warner Bros to handle distribution.

Wanted, released last month, has earned $192 million in worldwide box office to date and is based on a series of graphic novels.

Universal Pictures’ Digital Platforms Group is handling the production, with development done at GRIN, which is currently also working on Capcom’s Bionic Commando remake.

GRIN has been charged with creating the sequel to the movie, not an adaptation of the main game, which replicates the famed ‘bullet curving’ premise in a third-person action setting.

The game is out later this year – presumably at the same time Wanted hits the home rental market.

Universal has also called in executive game producer Pete Wanat, who previously collaborated with the studio on praised movie-based games The Thing, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, and Scarface: The World is Yours.

“The team at GRIN has a proven track record of creating action games that push the envelope in terms of gameplay and combat,” said Wanat.

“With the Wanted video game, GRIN is creating entirely new gameplay mechanics and an experience that pulls no punches. Gamers and fans of the film alike will be blown away by the ability to curve bullets, pull off amazing combat sequences and literally conduct a symphony orchestra of action with the arsenal available to the most powerful assassins in the world.”