First look at big-screen adaptation of fantasy series shows massive special effects shots, sumptuous sets; Ubisoft declines to comment on speculation new game will be unveiled next spring.

Gamers worried that Disney would skimp on the big-screen version of
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time can relax a bit. Today, the first trailer for the fantasy adventure hit YouTube, clocking in at around nearly two and a half minutes. The same trailer was shown at several press events last week, six months after the first footage of the film surfaced.

Though of low quality (a higher-resolution is due out later this week), the clip clearly shows that producer Jerry Bruckheimer is making good on his promise to give Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time the same sort of opulent treatment as the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy. The film’s estimated $150 million budget is on full display, with dozens of effects shots and lavish set pieces, many of which were shot on location in Morocco.

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The trailer indicates that the film’s story will stick to that of the 2003 game Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, which centers on a magical dagger that can be used to speed up or slow down time. The movie’s script was cowritten by Jordan Mechner, creator of the 1989 original Prince of Persia as well as Sands of Time, which was a critical hit on the PC, PlayStation 2, and original Xbox.

Directed by Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Donnie Brasco) and starring Jake Gyllenhaal sporting a decent British accent, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is due out on May 28 in the US and May 27 in the UK.

Around the same time the film opens in theaters, Ubisoft will reveal the next Prince of Persia game, according to unconfirmed reports. Tech site
Neoseeker reports that at a press event last week where Bruckheimer was on hand, unidentified members of the film’s crew revealed that Ubisoft is planning to announce a follow-up to last year’s hit, Prince of Persia. As of press time, the French publisher had not responded to GameSpot’s requests for comment.

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