Ubisoft's Splinter Cell May Actually Become a Movie

Ubisoft and Paramount may be planning a Splinter Cell movie.

The Tom Clancy-endorsed franchise "Splinter Cell" made popular by Ubisoft's stealth video games may be headed to the big screen soon. The games publisher, which currently holds the rights, is reportedly in talks with Paramount Pictures about a feature film tie-in. Previously Ubisoft was in talks with Warner Bros., but negotiations apparently fizzled out.

The original Splinter Cell title revolves around a covert operative named Sam Fisher. So far he's been on six missions covering six installments, spanning from the original title to Splinter Cell: Conviction. There have also been six novels based on the franchise, published between 2002 and 2009, none of which were written by Tom Clancy.

As Joystiq points out, deals like this don't always pan out, as seen with Halo, Uncharted and BioShock. And even if the film rights are optioned by a film studio, there's no guarantee that a script will be written or a film made. Then again, some genius may come along, scoop up the rights, and create one of the best video game-based movies ever made (aka stay away Uwe Boll).

Deadline reports that Paramount would not comment on a Splinter Cell movie other than to say there's currently no deal. However, sources claim that Ubisoft will be very involved and retain control over how the game is translated into a film.

Additionally, Clancy himself may not be involved, as he merely endorsed the video game series. But Hollywood could take an interest nonetheless given its history with the popular writer. Right now director Kenneth Branagh is working on a reboot of the Jack Ryan franchise with Chris Pine. Paramount is developing Without Remorse, the Clancy spinoff novel that focuses on mercenary John Clark.