Blizzard confirms early reports from the San Diego ComicCon that acclaimed Hollywood director Sam Raimi has signed on to direct the upcoming motion picture based on their long-running Warcraft fantasy franchise.  Legendary Pictures will produce the Warcraft film, though few other details have been revealed including cast or release date.

Much has been made of Raimi's work in the most recent trilogy of Spider-Man films, though he's also honored for writing and directing cult classics like The Evil Dead.  Other big names attached to the Warcraft film project include Atlas Entertainment's Chris Roven, who helped produced the most recent Batman movies alongside Legendary Pictures.

Blizzard COO Paul Sams and Legendary Pictures CEO Thomas Tull both believe Raimi will have the chops to deliver, citing his desire to satisfy both series enthusiasts and a mainstream box office audience.  Raimi's close friendship with Evil Dead's Bruce Campbell may well ensure yet another cameo for Ash's actor.  Maybe they should throw in the rest of the folks who have appeared in those WoW TV ads for extra good measure.