Vin does 47

**The Diva** · 06-16-2005, 10:37 PM

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Vin Diesel, who returned to box office glory recently with the family comedy "The Pacifier," is bringing Agent 47 to life.

He has signed on to star in 20th Century Fox's upcoming adaptation of "Hitman," the best-selling video game franchise from Eidos and developer IO Interactive. Diesel also will serve as executive producer.

"Hitman: Codename 47" launched in December 2000 and introduced Agent 47 -- a ruthless gun for hire who has a clean-shaven head and always wears a stylish black suit -- who is hired by "the Agency" to kill targets for cash. The game and its three sequels have garnered a worldwide following.

The "Hitman" franchise has sold more than 2.6 million units and generated more than $96.3 million in the U.S., according to the NPD Group. The franchise has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide, according to Eidos, which also was the company behind the "Tomb Raider" franchise.

The latest title, "Hitman: Blood Money," was on display at the recent E3 show in Los Angeles; it will ship in the U.S. in the fall for PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC.

"'Hitman' is a project that by the virtue of its DNA can and will reach far beyond its already substantial core audience," said Adrian Askarieh, who will serve as a producer. "The canvas on which this adventure takes place is something that movie audiences have embraced for the last 40 years."

Eidos and IO Interactive plan to hold discussions with Diesel and his game company, Tigon Studios, to work on the next installment of the game franchise. If a deal is reached, Diesel will assume the virtual role of Agent 47 by providing his voice and likeness in the new game. The new game is expected to ship in conjunction with the film.

That also is a model Askarieh and fellow producer Charles Gordon are aiming to follow with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Midway Games' upcoming "Spy Hunter 3." Johnson already is breathing life into main character Alec Sects in Universal's big-budget feature, for which Gordon and Askarieh are on board as producers, and is in talks to provide the voice and likeness for the next iteration of the game.

Askarieh said that Stu Beattie is working on the latest draft of the "Spy Hunter," film and that John Woo no longer will direct the movie.

Askarieh is one of a growing number of Hollywood producers that are seeking out video games as potential film franchises.

"Video games not only provide great stories and characters and high-concept action that translates well to feature films, but they appeal to the No. 1 demographic of filmgoers," Askarieh said. "The same people who go to the movies on a regular basis and buy DVDs also play games."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

I personally wanted Jason Statham (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels/ The Transporter) to do 47 ever since I saw him but when watching Chronicles of Riddick again last week I told my brothers that if they don't get Jason, Vin would be the next best big name thing. Hopefully I'm not proven wrong.

06-16-2005, 10:37 PM	#1
The Diva ~Dangerwhore~ Posts: 1,383	Vin does 47 LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Vin Diesel, who returned to box office glory recently with the family comedy "The Pacifier," is bringing Agent 47 to life. He has signed on to star in 20th Century Fox's upcoming adaptation of "Hitman," the best-selling video game franchise from Eidos and developer IO Interactive. Diesel also will serve as executive producer. "Hitman: Codename 47" launched in December 2000 and introduced Agent 47 -- a ruthless gun for hire who has a clean-shaven head and always wears a stylish black suit -- who is hired by "the Agency" to kill targets for cash. The game and its three sequels have garnered a worldwide following. The "Hitman" franchise has sold more than 2.6 million units and generated more than $96.3 million in the U.S., according to the NPD Group. The franchise has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide, according to Eidos, which also was the company behind the "Tomb Raider" franchise. The latest title, "Hitman: Blood Money," was on display at the recent E3 show in Los Angeles; it will ship in the U.S. in the fall for PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC. "'Hitman' is a project that by the virtue of its DNA can and will reach far beyond its already substantial core audience," said Adrian Askarieh, who will serve as a producer. "The canvas on which this adventure takes place is something that movie audiences have embraced for the last 40 years." Eidos and IO Interactive plan to hold discussions with Diesel and his game company, Tigon Studios, to work on the next installment of the game franchise. If a deal is reached, Diesel will assume the virtual role of Agent 47 by providing his voice and likeness in the new game. The new game is expected to ship in conjunction with the film. That also is a model Askarieh and fellow producer Charles Gordon are aiming to follow with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Midway Games' upcoming "Spy Hunter 3." Johnson already is breathing life into main character Alec Sects in Universal's big-budget feature, for which Gordon and Askarieh are on board as producers, and is in talks to provide the voice and likeness for the next iteration of the game. Askarieh said that Stu Beattie is working on the latest draft of the "Spy Hunter," film and that John Woo no longer will direct the movie. Askarieh is one of a growing number of Hollywood producers that are seeking out video games as potential film franchises. "Video games not only provide great stories and characters and high-concept action that translates well to feature films, but they appeal to the No. 1 demographic of filmgoers," Askarieh said. "The same people who go to the movies on a regular basis and buy DVDs also play games." Reuters/Hollywood Reporter I personally wanted Jason Statham (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels/ The Transporter) to do 47 ever since I saw him but when watching Chronicles of Riddick again last week I told my brothers that if they don't get Jason, Vin would be the next best big name thing. Hopefully I'm not proven wrong.