Rumor: Ubisoft picks up Midway's 'Wheelman'

by James Ransom-Wiley @ on Feb 13th 2009 11:37AM

Employing a wheelman, especially one of Vin Diesel caliber, can get kinda pricey. Think about it: an ordinary personal driver is a luxury reserved for the Richies of the rich -- imagine what one who sees in pitch black, morphs into an iron giant, and walks around calling himself "Triple X" and still seems sorta cool would cost. Actually, never mind, you don't have to imagine it. According to a new rumor, only a profitable game publisher can afford that kind of wheelman -- indeed, The Wheelman.

While both Ubisoft and Midway have declined to comment on a insider's report that The Wheelman has been acquired by Ubisoft from Midway (in the wake of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing), the possibility remains strong (see this GameFly listing). The report -- again, still a rumor at this time -- does not speculate on what, if any changes Ubisoft would make to the game, which is actually a "groundbreaking action-entertainment property"" with a feature film tie-in supposedly hitting theaters some time this year. It is expected, however, that Ubisoft would further delay The Wheelman's currently scheduled March 2009 release, in turn, potentially affecting the movie's production. Heck, Ubisoft could possibly cut ties with the Diesel altogether and to turn the game into an ordinary Driver.