Can we start from the beginning?
You pitched it to Jerry Bruckheimer back in 2004, is that right?
But, yes, the beginning of the movie was when I pitched it to Jerry in 2004.
Was it the first time youd actively tried to make it into a film?
Was it the success of the firstPiratesfilm that made you think you could make this into a big film?
And was it always Jerry Bruckheimer?
Because theyre huge movies now.
Was that always what you envisaged it being: a big, epic movie of that scale?
That was one of the movies that inspired the original game.
I think I never, even in my daydreams, imagined the movie being quite this big.
Its really got an epic scope and shooting on location in Morocco made it even bigger than I imagined.
Well, I loved playingSuper Mario Bros.but I never saw the movie.
I didnt really think ofPrince Of Persiathe movie script all that differently because it had been a game.
Theres a challenge in that as well though, isnt there?
Because your source material is inspired by cinema, and youre going back to cinema.
Did you feel a challenge to make it fresh and exciting?
Those are great set pieces in the film, the dagger time effects.
Theres an incredible level of detail and visual effects on show.
How much are you involved in that?
Because it does hark back very strongly to the game.
Well, I wrote the first two drafts of the script.
As far as the actual production of it, I was on set in Morocco.
That was such a huge undertaking involving second unit, stunt co-ordinators and so forth.
At that point, I had to stand back and marvel at the scope of the physical effort.
Do you work with the director Mike Newell on that, or whisper in his ear?
Im trying to picture him playing the game…
Mikes not a gamer.
[laughs] But hes at the head of this massive production of hundreds and hundreds of people.
And many of them, particularly on the production design side, were deeply into the game.
And that applies to the Ubisoft game.
That was done by a large team in Montreal.
My main creative contribution to the film was as a writer.
To actually make a movie goes beyond that in so many ways.
Theres a level of faithfulness in the movie.
The dagger, for instance, is incredibly similar to the game.
But theres also a creative team taking it in directions of their own.
Is that exciting, to see what others do with your own creation?
The first version of the script I pitched to Jerry was already very different from the game.
The story that I wrote for theSands Of Timegame is a story that was really tailored to be played.
Whereas here, this screenplay was meant to be watched.
And youve got some references to WMDs and a nation going to war against another under false pretenses.
And, of course, that was something that goes back to the videogame.
What are your plans for it from now?
It doesnt end on a cliffhanger or a set up.
Are there plans sketched out?
Well, I hope that everyone likes the movie.
And as Jerry says, we havent sold a single ticket yet.
Were 20 years into the story, 25 years since I started working on the first game.
And in terms of your other projects, youre working on a screenplay forFathomwith Megan Fox right now?
Thats been a fun project.
Ive got another film project Im developing with Mike Newell, a fantastic director.
And my first two graphic novels are released this spring as well.
You ushered in this new punch in of game that combined very cinematic elements.
Whats your take on recent games?
Cinematic is one of those words applied to videogames.
Its almost a backhanded compliment.
So, to experience it, you really have to play it.
Mr Jordan Mechner, thank you very much.
Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time arrives in cinemas from Friday.