The Animation Picture Company has optioned feature film rights from Vivendi Games division Sierra Entertainment to the hit franchise video game Spyro The Dragon.

The Animation Picture Company's principals Dan Chuba, John Davis, Mark Dippe, Brian Manis and Ash Shah will produce the 3D CGI feature.

Daniel and Steven Altiere will adapt the screenplay from the franchise's The Legend Of Spyro trilogy of games, and the project is currently out to directors.

The Spyro game franchise has generated more than $525m in sales and shipped more than 20million units worldwide since its introduction in 1998.

The story follows Spyro, a rare purple dragon on a voyage of self-discovery who becomes embroiled in an epic struggle against an ancient evil.