Ubisoft names first three 3D movies

Ubisoft Motion Pictures is to create 3D movies based on the parent company's Assassin's Creed, Splinter Cell, and Ghost Recon franchises, according to latest reports.

The Paris-based film and television division Ubisoft Motion Pictures was first revealed earlier in the month, but no specific plans for new projects were announced.

Hollywood trade paper Variety, which also broke the original story, compares Splinter Cell to a drama 'in the vein of The Bourn Identity' and Ghost Recon as 'a tech-driven war actioner set in the near future'.

Currently Assassin's Creed is Ubisoft's most successful video game franchise, although its mix of science fiction and historical elements may make it the most difficult to adapt - and the most expensive.

In addition the company is also developing a CGI 3D cartoon series based on Raving Rabbids, comprising 78 episodes of seven minutes each. Ubisoft is reportedly in "advanced negotiations" with both a French TV broadcaster and a U.S. network.

"Our strategy is not to diversify but to bolster the appeal of our franchises - that's why we want to make sure our films will reflect the brands accurately and consolidate our fan base while expanding beyond the games' primary target audience," said head of marketing and international sales Jean de Rivieres.

"We want to keep ownership, retain control over the film content, and we're open to work with studios on the development of our projects, and eventually collaborate on the pre-casting, pre-budget and script," added division head Jean-Julien Baronnet

Although de Rivieres indicated that scripts would be ready by the end of the year and that U.S. studios and screenwriters had shown "great interest" no creatives have so far been announced for any of the projects.