Empire signs games rights to MGM's action/adventure Bulletproof Monk

Empire Interactive plc, a leading AIM listed computer games developer and publisher, today announced that it has licensed the interactive videogame rights to the eagerly awaited Hollywood action-adventure film, Bulletproof Monk.

Licensed from MGM Interactive, the game will follow the premise of the film, which is based on the comic book first published by Flypaper Press in 1999. The film is being produced by John Woo and Terrance Chang's production company Lion Rock Productions, responsible for the critically acclaimed film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

In Bulletproof Monk, a mysterious monk with no name has zigzagged the globe to protect an ancient scroll - the Scroll of the Ultimate - which holds the key to unlimited power. Now the monk must find a protege, the scroll's next guardian.

Kar is an unlikely candidate, a streetwise young man whose only interest is himself. But when he saves the Bulletproof Monk from capture, the two become partners in a scheme to save the world from the scroll's most avid pursuer. Together with the help of a sexy and elusive young woman called Bad Girl, they seek out and face the ultimate enemy in a spectacular final battle packed with dazzling effects and action.

The game is being developed by UK-based Mucky Foot Productions, makers of Blade II and Urban Chaos, and is expected to be published by Empire around Christmas 2003 on PC and all Next Generation platforms.

Ian Higgins, CEO of Empire said about the licensing deal, "Empire has shown, once again, that it continues to be at the edge of new concept genre gaming. We are delighted to have won the opportunity to work closely with MGM Interactive on this unique property and believe it will become one of the video game hits of 2003."

"In collaborating with Empire, we continue our strong forward momentum in selecting quality partners to bring our unparalleled film content into the realm of interactive videogames," added Neil Haldar, Vice President of Production and Business Development, MGM Interactive. "We look forward to working together in developing this film title into a variety of compelling and challenging videogames as we continue to make new inroads into this rapidly growing market."