New Hitman movie and game on the way

"Based on a video game." There exists no greater albatross to be placed around a movie's proverbial neck, yet the game-to-crummy movie conversions just keep on coming. Given the rate at which they've been appearing recently, you'd think that the law of averages dictates that a good one might slip through every now and then, but no. Whether it's Bob Hoskins as Mario in an incomprehensible dinosaur-dominated alternate universe, or Marky Mark as an overly angst-ridden Max Payne, sure as the sun rises and sets, you can bet on one thing: If it is a movie based on a video game, it will suck.

The first Hitman movie was no exception to the rule, so news of a sequel really does nothing to inspire. What is a little more welcome is that the next Hitman movie (currently in very early development) will be released at the same time as a new Hitman game, the fifth installment in the series. Unlike the film, this game is (hopefully) not going to suck.

The most recent game title in the series, Blood Money, came out in 2006. The new title has a projected release date of sometime in 2010, putting a gap of four years between the two titles. Featuring a mix of stealth, gunplay and creative assassinations, Blood Money was the best installment of the series so far - let's hope the next game raises the bar.