Coming Soon to a Theatre Near You
With the recent news of the Uncharted film adaption losing yet another director, we were reminded that there are a lot of videogame movies currently in production. So here’s a gallery of some the biggest film adaptations being made right now.
Uncharted
Naughty Dog’s Uncharted series seems like a natural fit for the big-screen. It has a charismatic and good-looking hero, an Indiana Jones-style action story that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and all the gunfights and explosions you’d expect from a Michael Bay film. But will this film ever happen? It’s been in production for years. At one point, The Fighter director David O. Russell was attached to helm the project, with Mark Wahlberg and Amy Adams on board to star in it. However, that has all since fallen apart. The latest we’ve heard about the project was the departure of its third possible director, Seth Gordon (Identity Thief, Horrible Bosses), who was reported to be directing the film back in 2014.
Assassin’s Creed
One of six total Ubisoft films currently in production, the Assassin’s Creed film is going to star Michael Fassbender in the lead role alongside actress Marion Cotillard. The film is due to hit theaters in December 2016, and is set to start filming this September. It will be directed by Justin Kurzel, who directed Fassbender and Cotillard in the 2014 film Macbeth. Talking about the film last year, Fassbender said it will be respectful of the game. At the same time, however, the actor pointed out that “we also want to bring new elements to it and perhaps our own vision of things that already exist in the game.”
Warcraft
Directed by Duncan Jones, the son of David Bowie and director of Moon, the Warcraft film has a lot of potential. Not only does it have a proven director on board, but Star Wars effects studio Industrial Light & Magic has been brought on to work on its CG. The film is set to come to theaters in December 2016.
Far Cry
A new Far Cry film adaptation is being made as a part of Ubisoft’s initiative to produce films based off of its biggest IPs. On paper, the Far Cry series has always sounded like it could make a good fit for the big screen. With its action-packed gunfights and dark narrative undertones, there is a lot of potential for a Far Cry film adaptation to do well. Unfortunately, the awful 2008 Far Cry film adaptation directed by the infamous Uwe Boll did nothing to prove this. Regardless, here’s to hoping that Ubisoft’s upcoming Far Cry film gives the series the adaptation it deserves.
The Last of Us
This film adaptation seems like it actually might happen, and not only that, but it might be pretty good. Sony officially announced the project back in March 2014, revealing at the time that, crucially, The Last of Us game director Neil Druckmann was also writing the script. That would seem to bode well for the faithfulness of the film to the game. We have also heard some exciting casting rumors, the most interesting of which is that Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams is the front-runner to play Ellie. If that’s going to be the case, Sony needs to make the film soon, as a 35-year-old Ellie isn’t going to work.
Minecraft
How do you make a film about such an open-ended, non-linear game with no story? That’s the challenge Warner Bros. is up against with its film adaptation of Mojang’s sandbox hit. Night at the Museum director Shawn Levy had been attached to direct the film and had even submitted a story proposal, which he called “Goonies-like,” but Mojang vetoed the idea. Levy has since dropped out from the project, leaving its current status unknown.
Tetris
Speaking of making films adaptations of games with no story, a film based on Tetris is actually being made. From what we know, it is being developed as a collaboration between the Tetris Company and Threshold Entertainment, the production company behind the infamous Foodfight!. Currently, not much is known about the Tetris film, but Threshold Entertainment CEO Larry Kasanoff has gone on to state that it will be an “epic sci-fi movie.”
Watch Dogs
Ubisoft has announced the Watch Dogs film, but that’s basically all we know about it. It will be produced by Ubisoft’s own Ubisoft Motion Pictures division, meaning the publisher will retain creative control. That’s a good thing. But who will direct it? Will it follow the game’s story? Fans voted for Tom Cruise to play lead character Aiden Pearce, but will Ubisoft be able to sign him? These questions and more remain unanswered.
Resident Evil: Rising
The sixth and final entry of the long running Resident Evil film series is set to be directed once again by Paul W.S. Anderson. Both Milla Jovovich and Li Bing Bing will be returning to reprise their roles as Alice and Ada Wong, respectively, to most likely fight more zombies. Filming was initially set to begin August 2014, but was delayed to Summer 2015 due to Jovovich’s pregnancy.
Shadow of the Colossus
A Shadow of the Colossus film adaption was first reported to be in development back in 2009, and at one point, Chronicle director Josh Trank was attached to direct it, but he has since dropped out of to direct one of the upcoming Star Wars spin-off films. As of writing, Shadow of Colossus is now being directed by Andres Muschietti, who was responsible for 2013 horror film Mama, with a script by Hanna writer Seth Lochhead, who is known for writing the script of Hanna. It still has no confirmed release date or cast.
Hitman: Agent 47
Some video game films fall apart, but this one is definitely happening. 20th Century Fox will release the film this summer, and it will star Homeland’s Rupert Friend and Star Trek’s Zachary Quinto. Fast and Furious star Paul Walker was originally slated to play Agent 47, but after his tragic death in 2013, Friend replaced him in the lead role.
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon is yet another one of Ubisoft’s big game properties that will be getting a film adaption. Given its roots in Tom Clancy political thrillers, it’s understandable why the publisher wanted to give this game series a film. So far, Michael Bay has been confirmed to be developing the project while Y: The Last Man screenwriters Matthew Federman and Stephen Scaia will be handling its script.
Dead Island
A Dead Island film is currently in production by Deep Silver and Occupant Entertainment. If this sounds oddly familiar, then it’s because the game’s film rights were initially acquired by Lionsgate in 2011. However, the project never managed to go anywhere. Regardless, here’s to hoping that this second deal actually gets this film made.
Splinter Cell
The Splinter Cell film adaption is set to be directed by Doug Liman, who is known primarily for his work on The Bourne Identity and Edge of Tomorrow. Also, playing the lead role of Sam Fisher will be none other than Tom Hardy of The Dark Knight Rises. We haven’t heard much about the film in terms of its exact plot, but it has been stated by Liman that it will focus on Sam Fisher during his younger years.
Metal Gear Solid
A Metal Gear Solid film has been in the works for quite some time. Originally teased by Kojima back during E3 2006, the project previously had a bit of a tumultuous history in terms of development with many speculating whether or not it was ever going to be made. However, during a Metal Gear Solid 25th Anniversary event in 2012, producer Avi Arad, best known for his prior work with Marvel Studios, confirmed that the adaption was in development with Sony Pictures. As of writing, the film is set to be directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts with a script written by Jay Basu. There is still no word on who will play Snake.
Ratchet & Clank
This animated film adaptation of the first Ratchet & Clank game is being directed Jericca Cleland and Kevin Munroe with an original script written by Insomniac Games writer T.J. Fixman. Luckily, much of the series’ original voice cast will be returning to reprise their roles for the film, such as James Arnold Taylor and David Kaye as Ratchet and Clank respectively. Currently, the film is due to release on April 26, 2016.
Rabbids
The lovably insane Rabbids from Ubisoft’s Rayman spin-off franchise of the same name will be getting an animated film adaption produced by Ubisoft and Sony Pictures Entertainment. Just like other films in this gallery, not a lot is known about who will be working on the project or when it will be coming out.
Angry Birds
This upcoming animated film adaption of Angry Birds is being directed by Clay Kaytis and Fergal Reilly with a script written by Jon Vitti. Set for release in May 2016, the film will feature the voice talent of actors Jason Sudeikis, Danny McBride, Bill Hader, and Peter Dinklage. As far as what it will be about, your guess is as good as ours. But you can be certain that it will have birds in it who are angry.
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