A few weeks back, we learned that EA was shopping around a movie based around its Need for Speed series. Now comes word that a film studio has picked up the film rights, and that production could start as soon as early next year.

Paramount was initially said to be interested in the license, but now DreamWorks has announced that it was going to be working on it. The story, which was written by brothers George and John Gatins, isn't based on any particular entry in the series. 

“I'm excited about getting back into the creative trenches with John and George Gatins and my partners at EA to bring to life an exhilarating script based on an epic video game that seems to have been made for the movies,” said Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Chairman. “This is a big piece of business for DreamWorks and we are grateful to Frank Gibeau, Pat O'Brien, Kevin Maher and John and George for choosing us to deliver their goods.”

“We are thrilled to be in business with our friends Steven Spielberg, Stacey Snider [Dreamworks' CEO] and the entire DreamWorks team,” said Frank Gibeau, President of EA Labels. “They are the perfect partner to take Need for Speed to the big screen by creating the exciting action film that we have always envisioned.”

John Gatins is perhaps best known for writing the script for Real Steel, while brother George was executive producer on She's Out of My League.

Prediction: The good guy will win the race, and the bad guys will flip their cars over and explode.