Those who have seen the Silent Hill movie will either love or hate it… there’s no middle ground. With that in mind, IGN reports that Christophe Gans, the director behind the Silent Hill movie, will direct the film adaptation of Capcom’s Onimsha.

Budgeted at $70 million, the movie’s screenplay is by Leslie Kruger and John Collee (Master and Commander). Shooting is expected to begin in China next February, with the film being targeted for a December 2009 release.

“I have loved the Onimusha story for years and am overjoyed to have the opportunity now to bring it to life for worldwide film audiences and to access the unparalleled film resources of China to do so on the scale that the story demands,” Gans told ScreenDaily.

Producer Hadida added, “There is nothing else in the marketplace like Onimusha. It combines swashbuckling adventure, passion, and heroic destiny on an epic scale. … I have worked with Christophe on three successful productions and am confident that he brings the ideal vision to realize this incredible story.”

Onimusha is now being shopped around to prospective buyers, with several studios showing interest in the project.