Modern Warfare 2 was released to PS3, 360, and PC a few weeks ago and has already racked up $525 million in sales bringing the franchise total to $3 billion, almost twice that of the highest grossing film (Titanic). It looks like director of the Activison Blizzard game, Keith Arem, has gotten his first feature film directorial effort with Frost Road, an action thriller that Cary Brokaw (Closer) will produce along with Steven L’Heureux. The plot of the film involves a small coastal Eastern town which is suddenly and inexplicably devastated by an invisible contagion. A young man awakens from a car accident to discover he is one of few survivors in the aftermath of a mysterious outbreak. Somehow immune, he tries to save the remaining survivors from themselves, as he desperately struggles to prevent the deadly wave from spreading across the entire planet.
I’ve played through 2/3rds of the MW2 single-player, before I got completely distracted by the incredible multi-player. The SP was fun, but it moved almost too fast. It was at 110% action, with very few lulls. This could definitely be a problem when transitioning to film, but with experienced producers on his side I have little worries. There was also some pretty graphic, disturbing stuff on the single-player and those who played know what I’m referring too. If he wants to push the boundaries with this film there could be some very interesting results.
Full press release below.
‘CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2’ DIRECTOR KEITH AREM TO MAKE FEATURE DEBUT ON ‘FROST ROAD’
Cary Brokaw’s Avenue Pictures and Steven L’Heureux’s Solipsist Films to Produce
Hollywood, CA (Dec. 1, 2009)—In the wake of record-breaking sales of the video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, director Keith Arem will make his feature film debut on the action-thriller FROST ROAD. Cary Brokaw’s Avenue Pictures (CLOSER, ANGELS IN AMERICA) will produce with Steven L’Heureux’s Solipsist Films, in association with Arem’s PCB Productions. Arem wrote the script and FROST ROAD is concurrently in development as a graphic novel with co-creator Brandon Humphreys and artwork by Christopher Shy (Art Director, CONAN).
FROST ROAD concerns a small coastal Eastern town which is suddenly and inexplicably devastated by an invisible contagion. A young man awakens from a car accident to discover he is one of few survivors in the aftermath of a mysterious outbreak. Somehow immune, he tries to save the remaining survivors from themselves, as he desperately struggles to prevent the deadly wave from spreading across the entire planet.
After hauling in the biggest-ever first-day sales, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 continues to break records not only for video games but for all entertainment media; Activision Blizzard Inc., has reported $550 million in worldwide sales during its first five days and a reported $3 billion in sales-to-date. Game developer Infinity Ward contracted Arem as their talent director – responsible for directing, casting, and engineering all actors for the game including 50 Cent, Barry Pepper, Kevin McKidd, Keith David, Billy Murray and Lance Henriksen.
“I’m extremely excited about this story,” declared Arem about FROST ROAD, “and thrilled to have the opportunity to bring the skills I’ve honed in the game industry to the big screen. There’s an incredible talent pool currently working in the game industry, and I hope that the success of FROST ROAD will give other creators the chance to show what they can do on a wider canvas.”
Cary Brokaw seconded Arem’s sentiments, praising “…the incredible results that Keith achieved in Modern Warfare 2. The popular response to the title speaks for itself. There’s a great deal that film can learn from the dynamic and immersive experience of games, in the same way the medium has drawn on graphic novels for visual inspiration. With FROST ROAD, we believe that we’ve harnessed the best of not just both, but all three worlds.”
L’Heureux commented, “It is a pleasure working with Arem. Smart and passionate about everything he does and FROST ROAD will really show off his sense of filmmaking.”
Avenue Pictures is a highly regarded production company active in both film and television. Headed by Cary Brokaw, the company has produced such films as Closer, The Merchant of Venice, Short Cuts and Restoration. Brokaw most recently produced The Resident starring Hilary Swank and Jeffrey Dean Morgan for Hammer Films, which is now in post-production. The company has over forty films in development, and Avenue Pictures Television has nine television series in development with a first-look deal with Fox Television Studios.
Solipsist Films is a live action feature film, television and animation production company. Originally established in 2005 to service the feature film, feature animation, high quality television and video game markets by producer Stephen L’Heureux. Solipsist is one of a very select few with a successful production background in all media of entertainment production, and is known for its particular expertise in developing and producing theatrical films and television programming based upon comic books and graphic novels.
PCB Productions is a digital content creation company for Interactive, Film, Television, Animation, and New Media. Founded by industry veteran Keith Arem (Virgin Interactive/Electronic Arts), PCB has developed on over 500 commercial titles, including franchises for the Call of Duty series, Lord of the Rings, Spiderman series, Ghost Recon series, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series, Ridge Racer series, Prince of Persia series, Star Wars, Everquest series, Rainbow Six series, SOCOM, Silent Hill, Iron Man, and Guitar Hero. In addition his history as an award-winning director and producer of video games, Arem is also a best-selling author and graphic novelist.