It's been something like 50 years since someone has bothered to try and adapt the famous 19th century H.G. Wells book "The War of the Worlds."

Sure, there was the 1953 movie, and the 1988 television series. But then a few years ago, there was a revival to bring the film back.

The group interested in doing it was led by independent film director Timothy Hines through Pendragon Pictures. However, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, cancelled what would've been a modernized adaptation of the novel, and many fans thought the revival of Wells' famous Martian invasion story was dead.

But Steven Spielberg changed that this year when he announced that he would be working with actor Tom Cruise in creating a new adaptation that was originally scheduled to be released in 2007, but then suddenly moved up to 2005.

Not even that quick moveup, however, seems to be enough to beat out the original idea by Hines who apparently has been able to secretly complete filming of his "War of the Worlds" well ahead of Spielberg.

In a press release, Pendragon Pictures said that it has been filming in England and in the American Pacific Northwest under the cover title of "The Great Boer War." However, what was produced was an almost direct adaptation period piece of "War of the Worlds."

The film stars Jack Clay, Anthony Piana, James Lathrop and John Kaufmann, and was shot on a very small budget which will likely limit its release. IGN Filmforce reports that Hines had originally pursued actors like Michael Caine and Charlize Theron to star in the movie.

When will this new version of the film hit theaters? Hines said that his movie should be out in Spring 2005, just ahead of the Spielberg/Cruise adaptation.

UPDATE: Timothy Hines said that despite the fact the movie was low-budgeted, fans shouldn't be too worried about the special effects.

"We have the best and brightest talent in the FX department," Hines said in a release. "'The War of the Worlds' is such a known entity that we didn't have to seek them out. They came to us with enthusiasm and a deep desire to be involved. Budget and fees has not been a concern to these people. They are fans, like myself, and are creating this picture with love and integrity."

Hines said that the special effects in the film will utilize both computer-generated images as well as miniatures. It also will employ full-scale mechanical effects that were already shot out on set.

Talk about this story on the Airlock Alpha message boards. Click here!.