Sony Pictures closes in on Assassin's Creed - report
Variety claims that a deal with Ubisoft is in "final negotiations"
Sony Pictures is poised to close a deal to develop a film based on Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise.
According to a report on the Hollywood trade site Variety, the Sony Pictures is in "final negotiations" after emerging as the leader in a "bidding war" involving several other studios, including universal Pictures.
Sony Pictures is already developing adaptations of the Sony Computer Entertainment franchises Uncharted and inFamous.
Ubisoft launched a Motion Pictures division in May this year with the express intention of finding partners to adapt its franchises for the screen.
Sony declined to comment on the deal, while an Ubisoft spokeswoman confirmed that, "There is high interest from top Hollywood studios to collaborate on these brands."
Speaking to GamesIndustry.biz in June, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot claimed that film and TV production carries less risk due to the widespread practice of "pre-selling" and higher numbers of freelance professionals.
"We think that it's so easy to do, that it would be a shame not to try," he said. "The other thing which is important also is that when we do those movies or TV series, we take talent from that industry who are helping us to do a better job for the games."