Warcraft movie: Duncan Jones on board, Johnny Depp rumoured

Warcraft's long-awaited film adaptation has been linked to two big names - actor Johnny Depp and Moon director Duncan Jones.

The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that Jones, whose credits include indie sci-fis Moon and Source Code, has signed on to direct the Legendary Pictures movie.

Jones half-confirmed the news himself on Twitter.

"So the gauntlet was thrown down ages ago: Can you make a proper MOVIE of a video game. I've always said its possible. Got to DO it now," he said.

The generally reliable site follows with word that Legendary's Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni will produce, along with Blizzard and Atlas Entertainment’s Charles Roven and Alex Gartner.

Jones’ producing partner, Stuart Fenegan, will executive produce while Chris Metzen will co-produce for Blizzard.

Charles Leavitt wrote the script, which is being kept very hush-hush, and filming is expected to begin in northern autumn 2013 for a 2015 release.

Warcraft will be Jones's first big-budget Hollywood production, with an estimated bill of $100 million overshadowing Source Code's $35 million - but it's an opportunity he's been chasing for a long time. The director is a passionate gamer (just tune into his Twitter sometime) and confessed himself "hugely jealous" of former director Sam Raimi, who left the project to work on Oz.

Less certain is word that Pirates of the Caribbean and Edward Scissorhands star Johnny Depp may take a role in Blizzard's film.

Tracking Board is the sole source of the rumour and gives no further details.

Thanks, IGN.