Jerry Bruckheimer Films is negotiating a seven-figure deal to acquire the feature film rights to bestselling videogame "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time." Pic is being earmarked as a feature film for Disney. Deal includes a script being penned by game creator Jordan Mechner. John August is exec producing and supervising Mechner on the script.
Game, set in 9th century medieval Persia, tells the story of how a young adventurous prince who uncovers a dangerous artifact in a remote mountain kingdom and with the help of an enemy princess, must stop a despot from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy all mankind
Mechner says Bruckheimer's "Pirates of the Caribbean" was a touchstone for the adaptation. "Rather than do a straight beat-for-beat adaptation of the new videogame, we're taking some cool elements from the game and using them to craft a new story - much as 'Pirates' did with the theme park ride."
August says the character of the prince is like a 9th century Indian Jones. "He's fourth in line to the throne, with no shot of ever becoming king. So it's given him permission to lead a very reckless and exciting life."
News source: Worth Playing
