Computer games set for big screen

Tomb Raider was a hit despite bad reviews

Return to Castle Wolfenstein and Alien vs Predator are the latest shoot-em-up games set for a cinema release, according to US reports.

Successful games franchise Resident Evil is currently riding high in the UK box office in an adaptation starring Milla Jovovich and Michelle Rodriguez.

Now trade paper Variety says its British director Paul Anderson is set to write and direct the movie version of Alien vs Predator - a game based on a hybrid of the successful Alien and Predator movies.

The game is based on scientists who make the mistake of experimenting on aliens and predators.

Milla Jovovich stars in Resident Evil

The film is expected to be heavily based on the first four Alien movies and the two Predator films.

Return to Castle Wolfenstein will be co-produced by Saving Private Ryan producer Mark Gordon and The Mexican producer John Baldecchi.

Set during World War II, the game sees players controlling a soldier sent in to break Heinrich Himmler's Gestapo stronghold.

But the hero is up against Himmler's attempts to raise a massive army.

Angelina Jolie's big screen outing as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider proved a massive box office success around the globe despite poor reviews.

Other computer games which have been given the big screen treatment include Super Mario Brothers, starring Bob Hoskins, and Mortal Kombat, also directed by Paul Anderson.