According to Variety, Warner Bros and Capcom (who is becoming very hands on with its movie adaptations) are teaming up to bring an adaptation of Lost Planet to the big screen. The script is to be penned by David Hayter, who is fresh off Watchmen.

Funnily enough, Variety is describing the story as revolving around an expedition to an ice planet that harbors an energy source which could save all of mankind. Well, I've never played this, but just looking at the cover proves that to be an understatement. What would he need that big gun for if it's just a simple expedition?

Well, obviously there's more to it than that. It actually follows a group of snow pirates who battle the local nasties, the Akrid, to obtain the precious commodity known as thermal energy. (This is why it's easier to be a pirate in the Caribbean.) One pilot, Wayne, is rescued from an untimely death, and has an unfortunate case of amnesia. He can only remember bits and pieces of his past, including the death of his father by the monstrous Akrid. But as he searches for the truth of his attack, he uncovers a conspiracy that could destroy not only the Akrid, but all the snow pirates. Now that sounds like a more promising movie. Hopefully, some of you readers have played the game, and can sound off on whether it deserves to be on the big screen or not.

Well if nothing else, at least the legendary Chun Li is not going to be played by Jessica Biel. ComingSoon.net is reporting that Smallville's Kristin Kreuk has signed to star in the new Street Fighter film. There has been no official word on which role she is going to play, but the smart money is on her taking over where Ming-Na Wen left off in the 1994 incarnation of Capcom's classic game. News of the film first surfaced back in October, 2006 and back in July there had been an early review of Justin Marks' script. Early word had the plot centering on Li as she searches for those responsible for her father's murder all while taking down the Shadoloo organization. There has been very little mention of any of the other Street Fighter characters making an appearance, so I would expect that not much has changed in Marks original ideas of the film's direction. The flick is expected to start production this spring and will film on location in Thailand in March 2008.

This is Kreuk's third feature film, having already starred in Partition with Neve Campbell and a slightly less dignified role in the teen comedy, Eurotrip. Andrzej Bartkowiak has already signed to direct. For those of you out there worried that Street Fighter will degenerate into another cheese-fest, I can't say I blame you. Of course the worse news is that Bartkowiak's resume highlights include Cradle 2 the Grave and Romeo Must Die, so I can't be the only one thinking that this film might be destined for direct to DVD obscurity.

Say whatever you want about video game-to-movie adaptations but some of them actually do make money. Sure, there are also some impressive duds like Doom or Wing Commander, but there are also some adaptations such as Resident Evil, with the third movie of the franchise currently in production, that are very successful. In fact, Resident Evil is the second most successful franchise ever for Sony Pictures -- behind only Spider-Man and its sequel. So, it should come as no surprise that Capcom, publisher of the Resident Evil video games, is looking at its licensing partner Sony and thinking: "Hey, how can we make more money from our video games?"

Well, according to a recent article in The Hollywood Reporter, the video game publisher, whose other titles include Devil May Cry, Lost Planet, Dead Rising, Onimusha and the super-successful Street Fighter, has figured out what to do -- make their own movies and work even more closely with Hollywood. Capcom's first foray into production, an adaptation of its video game Street Fighter, is currently in production and slated for a 2008 release. In addition to this move, Capcom has also hired a full-time liaison who will work closely with Hollywood and seek to develop as many ways to license, promote and exploit Capcom titles as possible.

According to the article, the company tapped former THQ exec. Germaine Gioia to serve in the newly created post of senior vp licensing in its Los Angeles office. About her new role developing properties and working very closely with Hollywood studios, Giola said: "I think it could be a fairly important and successful combination. Capcom believes that it's something that they are very interested in trying." Well, I'm sold. Whatever comes out of these new partnerships, one thing's for sure -- the Resident Evil films, while not masterpieces, are still fun and a great way to spend ninety minutes. If Capcom and the studios can continue to put out product like those, I, for one, will keep watching. Especially if Jean-Claude Van Damme stays far, far away from any more Street Fighter movies.