New Line Cinema acquired the rights to the adaptation of Epic Games' then-Xbox 360 exclusive blockbuster in March. The game was then announced for PC during Microsoft's July E3 2007 press briefing, complete with PC-only content, and is slated for a November 6 release.

Despite the property being once again thrust into the spotlight of the gaming populace, reports of an ever-rising budget appear to be hampering the film project. Movie news and gossip site IESB.net claims that Live Free or Die Hard director Len Wiseman is attached to the project, but it is unlikely to enter full production.

Though rumors of financial issues come as no shock, word that the film may never release is a bit surprising. Earlier this week, Gears of War lead designer Cliff Bleszkinski praised New Line Cinema and spoke of the adaptation as if it were a sure thing.

"New Line, having done Lord of the Rings, they know how to back a very risky but also a potentially very lucrative franchise and make sure it's treated with the respect it deserves," Bleszinski told GameDaily BIZ. "I think we have a really great script and now it's just a matter of getting the right director attached and making sure it becomes a 'AAA' blockbuster movie."