Just because it's proven damn near impossible to craft a worthwhile videogame-to-movie adaptation in the recent...ever does not seem to be slowing anyone down. Chief among those unfazed is Ubisoft. Late last month it was revealed that they were moving forward with their plan to bring their game series 'Assassin's Creed' to the big screen with Michael Fassbender in the lead role. Additionally, the company is looking to adapt the 'Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell' franchise into a movie. They don't have a definite studio partner yet, though they are chatting with both Warner Brothers and Paramount. They do however have a writer in Eric Warren Singer ('The International'), and now it seems they have an actor to play black-ops agent protagonist Sam Fisher. Ubisoft, continuing on their trend of comic book movie villains, has just signed Tom Hardy ('The Dark Knight Rises') to headline 'Splinter Cell.' The actor is currently shooting 'Mad Max: Fury Road.'

Wow. I'll say it, I am thoroughly surprised. I know Ubisoft's properties are quite successful, but I didn't think they had the clout to nail down a star like Hardy before a script is written or there's even a studio attached. I played the first game, long ago, and what I found appealing about it was the same thing I liked about the 'Hitman' games: the sneaking around to take down bad guys. I think Hardy would be killer as a black-ops agent and he more than possesses the physical presence necessary to play Sam Fischer. As much as I like Hardy, however, my real excitement level for this movie cannot be determined until a director is chosen. Maybe let Brad Bird have another shot at working within an espionage series? Or how about the man responsible for, in my opinion, two of the best James Bond films: Martin Campbell? The question now becomes, as with all movies that are based on a franchise and now just one title, which game will be the basis of the film? 

What do you guys think? Does the prospect of a 'Splinter Cell' movie interest you? If so, how do you feel about Hardy taking the lead role? Who would you assign to direct?

Source: Variety