Shawn Levy To Produce Adaptation Of TV Show Deadliest Warrior

Ever wonder how a viking would fare against a samurai? How about the Irish Republican Army against the Taliban? Spartans vs. Ninjas? If these questions keep you up at night, Spike TV has been airing a show called Deadliest Warrior that is right up your ally. Gathering experts, the show analyzes the weapons and fighting styles of warriors throughout history and run tests to see who would be the victor. Now that show is launching onto the big screen.

Paramount has sent out a press release announcing that Shawn Levy's production company, 21 Laps Entertainment, will be making a film adaptation of the show. Just finishing its second season in late July, the show has earned great ratings and execs believe it has an ability to "engage audiences across multiple platforms." The plot is currently being kept under wraps (you can bet that time travel will be involved) and while Levy is currently only attached to produce, he may end up directing the project as well.

While I can't say I am all too familiar with the show, does anyone else remember that scene in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure when Genghis Khan went into the sporting goods store, started swinging around a baseball bat and threw on some football pads? I imagine that this film will be two hours of that. Prove me wrong, Levy!

Check out the full press release below.

HOLLYWOOD, CA (September 14, 2010) – Paramount Pictures announced today it has made a deal for Shawn Levy's 21 Laps Entertainment to do a big-screen adaptation of sister company Spike TV's original hit series "Deadliest Warrior." The announcement comes on the heels of the show’s Season 2 finale, which brought about exceptional ratings for the network. Spike TV has renewed the series for a third season.

This partnership by Paramount and Spike TV marks the first time that the Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B) owned companies have worked together. “Spike has some of the most innovative and forward-thinking content on television today, “Deadliest Warrior” being no exception. The property has proven its ability to engage audiences across multiple platforms,” said Paramount Film Group President Adam Goodman. “We hope this is the first of much future collaboration with Spike.”

"Deadliest Warrior" pits history's greatest warriors against one another to determine who reigns supreme. Along with the use of 21st century science and the latest in CGI technology, the series enlists world-class fighters, historians and weapons experts to provide insight into the unique history and style of these combatants which culminates in a head-to-head final fight between two warriors to declare which one would have been the deadliest. The first two seasons showed such memorable battles as Spartan vs. Ninja, Viking vs. Samurai, Pirate vs. Knight, Yakuza vs. Mafia and Comanche vs. Mongol.

The film's storyline is being kept under wraps.

Shawn Levy and 21 Laps President Dan Levine will produce the film, with the possibility that Levy may direct. The property fits within Levy and 21 Laps’ ongoing expansion from family comedies to event action movies, following the “Night and the Museum” franchise and Levy’s current action drama “Real Steel” with Hugh Jackman for DreamWorks.