Movie Deal In Forecast For PlayStation 3 Serial Killer Game 'Heavy Rain'

EXCLUSIVE: An auction of screen rights for the PlayStation3 game Heavy Rain is coming to a close. I’m told a deal is near with Unique Features, the film shingle started by Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne after they exited New Line.

Using their own money, Shaye and Lynne posted top bid in an auction held by CAA on behalf of game developers Quantic Dream.

Heavy Rain has sold 1 million units since its release in February.  The game’s combination of murder, rain and an inherent atmospheric gloom evokes memories of the David Fincher-directed Seven, one of the formative blockbusters at New Line when Shaye and Lynne grew that company into a rival to the majors.

Players hunt the “Origami Killer,” a serial murderer who drowns his victims four days after they are abducted, leaving only a small origami figure and an orchid on the corpse. The game becomes a procedural in which four characters try to solve the crime after another potential victim is kidnapped.

Unique has a first look deal with Warner Bros, but Shaye liked it enough to use his own money and not wait for approval to buy it. A deal should be sealed shortly.