Could Video Games be taking over where the comic book movies left off?
Image: Screenrant
It's all about video games in Hollywood these days, and it's a battle for innovation.
The last few years have seen a lot of changes in the video game industry, with new consoles and new ways to play. But one thing has stayed the same: Hollywood loves video games. We are seeing more and more game adaptions for the big screen, and it's only going to continue.
Hollywood has always been interested in video games, but the interest has intensified in recent years. This is due in part to the increasing popularity of gaming, but also to the fact that games are becoming more complex and cinematic.
As a result, they are becoming more attractive to Hollywood filmmakers.
The trend started with movies based on popular arcade games, such as "Tron" and "WarGames." These were followed by movies based on console games, such as "Super Mario Bros." and "Street Fighter." More recently, we have seen movies based on PC games, such as "Assassin's Creed" and "Warcraft."
The trend is likely to continue, with more and more video games being adapted for the big screen. We are already seeing announcements for movies based on popular games such as "Minecraft" and "Borderlands." It is clear that Hollywood sees the potential in video games, and we can expect to see more game-to-movie adaptions in the years to come.
Image: Film Daily
Sony's production and distribution arms are cranking out a steady stream of shows and movies, which it is marketing through its popular slate of PlayStation Studios titles. The Last of Us has HBO, God of Wa
r with Amazon, and a Ghost of Tsushima film directed by Chad Stahelski from the "John Wick" crew.
Netflix has committed to adapt Capcom's Resident Evil, Square Enix's Tomb Raider, Take-Two Interactive's BioShock and Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed games for its first season. Paramount announced plans for a second season of its live-action Halo series and agreed to develop a Knuckles spinoff in the Sonic universe shortly after releasing the game. Amazon is
Both Game of Thrones and The Expanse are adaptations of pre-existing material, as is Mindhunter. These shows aren't the only ones that have borrowed material from books and comics; other major cable hits like American Gods, Preacher, Mr. Robot, Westworld, Big Little Lies, A Series Of Unfortunate Events - based on graphic
“There used to be this idea that video games as source material can't be intelligent, character-driven films and TV shows," dj2 CEO Dmitri Johnson told The Ringer in April. “I'm of the opinion that we will not only win Emmys, but also Oscars, and the source material will be based on games.
Dj2 has already inked a first look deal with Amazon and indie game developer Raw Fury to develop more projects over the next six months, according to its founder.
However, don't be concerned. Superhero films aren't going anywhere. Marvel may have moved on from the Infinity Saga, and "Morbius" is its most embarrassing flop to date. The latest "Spider-Man's" $1 billion-plus milestone combined with the huge box office success of "The Batman," however, demonstrates superhero
It appears that game adaptations are additive, and the comic book genre offers a guide for how to move away from bombs to potential critical favorites like "The Dark Knight," "Black Panther" and "The Joker." The key is to make more films and shows, of many genres and by a variety of directors.
The most popular video game adaptations had to survive development hell. After the notoriously weird 1993 live-action one, another Mario film has taken decades to develop. A Peter Jackson and Neill Blomkamp Halo feature went nowhere before the Paramount TV series began, and the Uncharted film took almost 15 years to reach theaters.
There should be fewer long, torturous journeys like those of Mario, Halo, or Uncharted in order for gaming adaptations to mature. More of the solid groundwork and rapid experimentation that helped DC, Marvel, and Sony develop their comic book formulas leading to both commercial and artistic advancements.
But the gaming industry's Hollywood takeover is only beginning. Streaming services and theater slates will soon be overflowing with stories and characters known primarily to game console owners. Unlike comic books, which rarely stray too far from superheroes and action, video games have the capacity to tell diverse tales for a much bigger audience. At this rate, a video game adaptation may even win an Oscar in the next few years.