The recently released Prince of Persia film is the latest addition to a growing list of films based on computer games – an interesting reversal of the usual ‘film then computer game’ marketing and production process. This reversal isn’t a particularly new development, as the 1993 UK release of Super Mario Bros illustrates, but it’s one that’s becoming more and more common with 8 films making the leap from computer game to film in the last 2 years. Admittedly, not all of the films were Hollywood Blockbusters, but you get my point.

This growing trend might illustrate the fact that film studios are beginning to run out of interesting stories and ideas to mine and are therefore being forced to cast their nets wider to other possible sources. Perhaps the penny is beginning to drop that audiences might not be that bothered about seeing yet another ‘reimagining’ of tired classics like Robin Hood (don’t hit me Russell).

Given the rapid convergence of media channels it’s almost inevitable that at some point an internet based phenomenon will make the leap to the silver screen and a big step was taken towards that happening this week. It was announced that the popular Twitter feed ‘Shit My Dad Says’ has been commissioned by CBS to be made into a TV series starring Captain Kirk (William Shatner).

As far as I know, this is the first commission of its kind, but it could be a watershed moment. It’s likely that other entertainment companies will be jealously eyeing CBS’ move and that they’ll now be increasing the focus of their search for content ideas onto the internet.

LOL cats the movie anyone?