News: Art to Imitate ‘Second Life’ in Gore Verbinski Film

What in the “I spend too much time on the computer” hell is going here? According to Variety, Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski wants to direct a film based on online games that allow participants to role play and create a “second life.”  Apparently, there was an article written in the Wall Street Journal, that discussed a couple whose marriage became strained once the husband became too attached to his online persona.

The article by Alexandra Alter focuses on a married man who spends as many as 20 hours a day on a computer, existing through an avatar who is a thriving, musclebound entrepreneur. In reality, he is a diabetic, chain-smoking 53-year-old.

Verbinski will develop the film as a directing vehicle; Steven Knight (“Eastern Promises”) will pen the script.

I don’t want to judge anyone, because the internet is a detrimental part of my life too, but a marriage? Yeesh!  I’ve never delved into the world of online role playing personally, because living through an avatar just doesn’t appeal to me. The whole idea is just a little too Terminator, SkyNet for my taste.

On the internet based movie scale, I wonder if this film will measure more towards The Matrix or The Net? Hmmmmm?