Legendary Spaces Out With "Mass Effect"

Legendary Pictures reports it is developing the Electronic Arts/Bioware video game series "Mass Effect" into a feature film. The film will fall under Legendary's co-production/co-financing agreement with Warner Bros., who will distribute the film worldwide.

Producers are in discussions with Mark Protosevich ("Thor") to draft a screenplay based on the game series for Legendary’s Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni who will produce the film with Avi and Ari Arad. BioWare co-founders Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk will serve as executive producers with Casey Hudson.

"...BioWare’s epic science fiction series takes place in the year 2183 and follows 'Commander Shepard' of the 'SS Normandy' who leads a team on a mission to defeat an ancient alien race that invades the galaxy every 50,000 years, wiping out all organic life..."

“Mass Effect is a tremendous property ripe for translation to the big screen,” said Thomas Tull, Chairman/CEO of Legendary Pictures. “A prime example of the kind of source material we at Legendary like to develop; it has depth, compelling characters and an engaging back story. "

“At BioWare, we’ve always thought of Mass Effect as having the depth, emotion and plot twists perfectly suited for an adaptation to a motion picture,” said Hudson. "With Legendary and Avi and Ari Arad attached, we believe that the Mass Effect movie will be an extraordinary entertainment event that realizes our vision for the franchise and thrills fans.”

"Mass Effect: Redemption" , available from Dark Horse Comics is set in the 'Mass Effect' universe, taking place two years before the events of the video game "Mass Effect 2" :

"'Liara T'Soni' continues her search for the abductors of 'Commander Shepard' in this tale of friendship and loyalty in the darkest corners of the galaxy..."

"Mass Effect 2" is the action role-playing game developed by BioWare Edmonton, in association with BioWare Montreal, published by Electronic Arts. The game is the sequel to "Mass Effect", released on PC and Xbox 360 in North America January 26, 2010.

Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Mass Effect 2"...