Hollywood continues to try and Watch Mound Daughtermake a Gears of Warmovie happen.

Universal Pictures has optioned the rights to Microsoft's popular Xbox video game franchise, it announced Wednesday.

The Gears of Warseries has grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, but despite an army of fans, a movie adaptation has been stuck in development hell.

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The same goes for numerous other video game adaptations, such as Halo, BioShock, Call of Duty, Gran Turisimo, Kane & Lynch, The Last of Us, Mass Effect, Metal Gear Solid, Splinter Celland Uncharted. Some of these films have talent (actors/writers/directors) attached, but most don't.

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Assassin's Creed, led by Michael Fassbender, will be the next major box office test for video game movies following Warcraft's inability to connect with American audiences -- though it did big business in China. Other projects that are closer to coming to fruition include Tomb Raiderstarring Alicia Vikander, Rampagewith Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Minecraftfrom director Rob McElhenney, and The Divisionstarring Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Chastain.

Scott Stuber (Ted) and Dylan Clark (Rise of thePlanet of the Apes) will produce the Gears of Warmovie, but don't hold your breath waiting for this one. Both producers have a busy slate, so it could be a while.

The latest entry in the video game franchise, Gears of War 4, will be released on Oct. 11. That may have to tide you over for now.

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Topics Microsoft Xbox