Financial boost for the movie based on Epic Games' hit video game series.

Gears of War screenshot

Variety reports that Legendary Pictures has signed up to co-finance and co-produce New Line's movie based on Epic Games' Gears of War franchise.

Epic Games vice president Mark Rein commented: "Legendary's appetite for the synthesis of gaming, film and pop culture meshes perfectly with our own."

The movie is tentatively scheduled for release in summer 2009, but Variety notes that Warner has not yet set a firm date.

Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey are producing through their Temple Hill banner, while Gears of War lead designer Cliff Bleszinski is exec producing and will also act as a consultant for Epic Games.