Ah, the Hollywood process.
There have been talks in Hollywood about a Gears of War movie for a long time. In 2009 it looked likely. In 2010, it seemed plauged with delays. 2011 saw it sliding into "development hell."
It seems like we're due for an annual update, then, and Variety has provided one—this time, cautiously optimistic. They report that New Line, the studio that was originally supposed to make the film, has essentially shelved the project in order to focus on nearly-guaranteed moneymaker The Hobbit.
But all hope is not lost. The game series remains popular, with fourth installment Gears of War Judgment due out next year, interest in the film is revitalized. And so the agency representing the Gears of War film, which has gone through multiple producers and scripts, is merrily picking up their ball and putting it into play elsewhere.
And so, in 2012, five years after the Gears of War movie was supposed to start production (and two years after it was supposed to be released), we have our annual word about how the project continues apace.