Filmmaker Joe Carnahan is amazed his box-office flop Smokin' Aces became so successful as a rental DVD movie bosses now want to shoot a prequel. Crime drama Smokin' Aces slipped in and out of cinemas almost unnoticed upon its release last year - despite a cast including Ben Affleck and Andy Garcia - but became a hugely popular rental.

However, although he will be involved with the film, Carnahan won't be directing the follow-up. He writes on his website: "Universal wants to move ahead with a direct-to-video prequel of Smokin' and asked me if I wanted to Godfather the thing and make sure we did a really cool story."

"The DVD numbers Smokin' Aces has done are astounding and they want to strike while the iron is hot. Whatever reluctance I have is alleviated by the fact that we can really do this balls out, hardcore prequel and not be constrained by ratings or any other puritanical MPAA bulls#*t. That I love. I won't be directing. I will probably help break story - something lean and mean and nasty."

-Smokin' Aces movie photos

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)