Raimi to direct 'World of Warcraft' movie

Sam Raimi has signed on to direct the big-screen adaptation of the videogame franchise 'World of Warcraft'.

The 'Spider Man' director will oversee 'Warcraft' once he finishes work on the fourth installation of the superhero movie.

Sam will pair up with 'The Dark Knight' producer Charles Roven to develop the film from the fantasy fighting game in which the 'Warcraft' universe first emerged.

The live-action film will be backed by Legendary Picture and computer game publishers Blizzard Entertainment, while Warner Brothers will be in charge of distribution.

Sam is due to start work on 'Spider Man 4' with Columbia Pictures next year, before preparing 'Warcraft' for release in 2011.

Video game designer Chris Metzen - who founded the 'World of Warcraft' software in 1994 - is working closely with scriptwriters on the storyline.

The movie is expected to be a box-office hit following the huge international success of the series of video games.

'World of the Warcraft' has seen massive online success as a multi-player fighting game and sales of the latest version 'Wrath of the Lich King' sold over four million copies in the first month.