Raimi to direct 'Warcraft' movie

LOS ANGELES, July 22 (UPI) -- Hollywood director Sam Raimi has agreed to head up a live-action, big-screen adaptation of the video game franchise "World of Warcraft."

Variety.com said the "Spider-Man" and "Drag Me to Hell" filmmaker will direct "Warcraft," while Warner Bros. co-finances and distributes it.

Legendary Pictures and the video game publisher Blizzard Entertainment are also involved in making the movie, the entertainment industry trade newspaper said.

"Warcraft" is "emblematic of the kind of branded, event films for which our studio is best known," Variety.com quoted Warner Bros. Pictures Group president Jeff Robinov as saying.

"At its core, 'Warcraft' is a fantastic, action-packed story," Raimi said in a statement.