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Take-Two Interactive (TTWO), publisher of the popular “Grand Theft Auto” video game series, is trading near a six-year high Friday on a report that Activision Blizzard might make an acquisition offer. Benchmark analyst Mike Hickey discussed “an emerging romance” between the two companies, which have similar goals, in a research note Friday. Take-Two and Activision Blizzard (ATVI) are interested in forming movie studios to make feature films based on their game franchises. “For Activision, acquiring  Take-Two Interactive Software would be a no-brainer, in our view, circling some of the strongest development talent and owned IP in the world, within a company that has nearly $1 billion in cash and trades at a comparably lower multiple,” Hickey said. Take-Two admires Activision’s “deep connections to Hollywood” and its capabilities in making massively multiplayer online games, such as “World of Warcraft” and “Diablo.”

Shares of Activision Blizzard (ATVI) and Take-Two Interactive Software were headed in opposite directions Wednesday after the two video game publishers posted June quarter results late Tuesday. Activision stock was up 2.5%, near 23, in afternoon trading on the stock market today. Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO) stock was down more than 6%, below 21. Both companies beat Wall Street’s targets on the top and bottom lines. But investors were focused on upcoming major game releases. Activision is on track to launch its highly anticipated game “Destiny” on Sept. 9, but Take-Two pushed back the release of its big title “Evolve” to February from October. Take-Two lost 14 cents a share excluding items in the June quarter, compared with a loss of 54 cents in the year-earlier quarter and analyst expectations for a loss of 26 cents a share. Sales rose 5% to $152 million in its fiscal Q1, topping Wall…