Film adaptations of video games seem to have a certain life cycle. Popular game attracts movie studio with plot and characters that seem just right for the big screen; all concerned with project tell anyone who will listen that this will finally be the adaptation that proves good movies can be made from video games; adaptation goes into development hell; finally, one of two things happen: either (a) an atrocious film is produced or (b) nothing happens at all and the whole mess is forgotten about.

Looks like the big screen version could be years away.

Taking all the above into account, it should surprise absolutely no one that the much-anticipated movie version of ‘Gears of War’ looks like it’s in serious trouble. Producers are said to be weighing up whether to jump ship or to start all over again with a new director, new script and far less money that originally anticipated.

An LA Times article has reported that the New Line studio production has “really slowed down” in recent weeks, with the piece adding that “the film’s story and budget have been scaled back, and director Len Wiseman, the filmmaker behind ‘Live Free or Die Hard’ and the ‘Underworld’ franchise, is instead turning his attention to ‘Nocturne’ an apocalyptic thriller.”

The “feature-ready weaponry and mythology”, of ‘Gears of War’, alongside the pretty cool main character of Marcus Fenix had originally got plenty of studios interested in making a movie version, while a script – said to be “a multi-generational epic with a big-canvas feel” – had been written by Chris Morgan (who wrote the half decent Angelina Jolie action pic ‘Wanted’).

However, the studio has now cut the budget, going from a film that would have cost more than $100 million to one that will cost a good chunk less than that. It’s also reined in the story, turning it into a simpler “straight-ahead invasion story instead of a sprawling epic”. Producers are looking for a new writer to handle all this, but haven’t found one yet. A New Line spokeswoman could not be reached for comment.

Obviously all this makes it look like ‘Gears of War’ will head the way of ‘Max Payne’ and ‘Doom’ and disappoint fans of the original game everywhere. However, if one was to remain optimistic it could be pointed out that a new film-maker with a lower budget might get things right this time around, as a lower spend often means less studio interference. That’s being really optimistic though.

Why didn’t everyone learn their lesson after ‘Street Fighter’ eh.