Angry Birds, one of the most popular paid apps on the iPhone and iPad, may become a feature length film.

If you don’t already know, the concept of the app is simple: slingshot various birds, each with their own attributes, at pig-like creatures killing the pigs in the process.

The popularity of the app has growth continuously since its release with over 6.5 million paid iPhone downloads at 99 cents each, and over 200,000 iPad downloads at $4.99 each. Furthermore, the free, limited feature addition has been downloaded over 11 million times.

Rovio Mobile, the company behind the app now plan to turn the app into a major franchise spanning across a number of platforms including TV shows, comic books, toys and of course a feature film.

It may seem like an unusual move for an app creator to venture into cross medium industries, but Mikael Hed, CEO of Rovio Mobile explains the reasoning behind the decision:

“It doesn’t make sense (to produce a slate of different games) when you have a hit of any calibre. When you create brand equity, to do that again would be a difficult task, rather than nurture and build around what you have.”

The company has already set the wheels in motion, approaching film studios and even creating a number of YouTube videos introducing the feathery characters: to date the ‘Angry Birds Cinematic Trailer’ (see below) has been viewed more than five million times.

Some people are sceptical about whether a game that consists of throwing birds at pigs can be turned into a feature length film, but the foundations are all there: the birds are rather cute and it is easy to empathise with them protecting their eggs, whereas the pigs do make worthy enemies. With the right plot this could take off and there is certainly scope to release a range of soft toys based around the characters.

However, what this does highlight is the possibilities surrounding extra revenue streams from smartphone and tablet apps. Apps on their own can increase brand awareness and bring in capital but incorporating additional markets and industries into the equation could catapult a brand or campaign into an app generated goldmine.

If Angry Birds succeeds in becoming a cross industry franchise then it will highlight the potential return on investment that a prosperous app can produce.

Have your say: would you be interested in seeing an Angry Birds film?