"I figured that's the way they would approach a Gears of War film..."
I've always said that, especially after I heard the Halo movie was halted due to budgetary issues, and with the given that the Gears movie would likely be rated R, no studio would want to risk a lot of money.
Doing it 300 style really saves a crap load of money, meaning a hardcore R rated GOW film would be less of a financial risk for New Line, meaning it could get made with more freedom.
Plus the green screen effect will only help the film achieve the games style that much more, doing all of that with production design on sets would cost too much.
and again, it would save a load of money, 300 cost $65 million, whereas films of the same style cost much much more, done in the traditional location and set form, Troy-$17 million, Gladiator-$103 million, Kingdom of Heaven-$125 million, and Alexander-$150 million.
And 300 was made for literally a fraction of the cost of those films, and most of that is due to the style in which it was done, which boads well for the GOW movie.
I am confidant that Beattie will adapt the games plot very faithfully, while incorporating a lot of background information and set up that wasn't in the game, and it seems that the films style and look will easily match the game's, now all we need is a good director, and with a budget of I think $80-100 milion tops, this film could be pulled off very well.
I'm just glad it seems to be moving forward, as opposed to the Halo film, Gears might very well be the first great video game adaption, fingers crossed.
Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if it got a March release that ends in huge success, much like 300.
