So the world of film is currently in a post Comic Con hangover, and in the midst of the drinking binge that the Con was, G4 was able to attain a couple big interviews, regarding the much hyped adaptation of Gears of War.
They were able to talk to game designer Cliff Bleszinski and the director of the upcoming movie, Len Wiseman. Lots have been said about what may go into and what will be left out of the film, and while this video does nothing to sort those groups out, it does at least hint that it's going in the right direction. Sure, it's moving slow, but hopefully it's moving with a lot of care.
New Line/WB are going out of their way to get this thing out by the summer of 2010, but that is beginning to look a bit unlikely. Unless a lot of news is set to come out real soon, Wiseman and the rest of the crew will probably have to wait until 2011. That said, NO ONE should expect this film to be an R rated gorefest. If it is, I will be more than shocked. Cliffy B said it right from the outset. The property that is Gears was meant to be as media friendly as possible. That will be no different from the film. Sure, everyone can say that it's a huge hit game that made a ton of money, which it did, but there is no way that an R rated Gears of War film will be a monster hit, or as much of a hit as WB really wants. ESPECIALLY with Live Free or Die Hard director Len Wiseman behind the camera. I'm not saying it's going to be a shitty movie, it's just not going to be the film that everyone we really expect.
Go see something good!
Showing posts with label Video Game Movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Video Game Movies. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
NEWS: DJ Caruso To Helm Dead Space Adaptation...
This week has been a week of video game film announcements. First we had James Wan helming, or at least in talks to helm, the much anticipated adaptation of the hit series Castlevania, and now it looks like another hit series, albeit a newer one, will be hitting the big screen.
Variety is now reporting that game publisher EA and Temple Hill Ent., who are also working on the Gears of War adaptation, have finally found a director for their horror/sci-fi adaptation, in the form of Eagle Eye/Disturbia director, DJ Caruso. Those who played the game may notice a lot of the games film references, with nods to Alien and even the classic Tarkovsky film Solaris, along with many many others.
Here is how /Film describes the game's plot:
The game follows an engineer named Isaac Clarke, who with two other officers arrives on a derelict mining ship to discover massive carnage. The bodies of dead crewmembers are being recombined into horrific zombie-like creatures that can only be killed by dismemberment. As Isaac seeks to restore power to the ship he discovers the influence of a scientologist-like cult that focused on a monolithic alien artifact. Power from the artifact may be creating the necromorph zombies, and may also be responsible for visions that plague Isaac as he works.
Along with the announcement of the hiring of a director, it appears that Temple Hill will be releasing the name or names of the scribes who will be penning the script.
I personally don't find this good news. I honestly was hoping that Caruso and pal Shia Lebeouf would get their stuff together and start production on their talked about Y The Last Man adaptation, but that appears to be taking a back seat to this video game to film adaptation. Sure, the plot sounds intriguing, and the world can ALWAYS use great sci-fi films, but I think a Y The Last Man adaptation would be both more interesting, and a better sell. That said, I also really don't think that Caruso's style fits this project at all.
What do YOU think?
Go see something good!
Variety is now reporting that game publisher EA and Temple Hill Ent., who are also working on the Gears of War adaptation, have finally found a director for their horror/sci-fi adaptation, in the form of Eagle Eye/Disturbia director, DJ Caruso. Those who played the game may notice a lot of the games film references, with nods to Alien and even the classic Tarkovsky film Solaris, along with many many others.
Here is how /Film describes the game's plot:
The game follows an engineer named Isaac Clarke, who with two other officers arrives on a derelict mining ship to discover massive carnage. The bodies of dead crewmembers are being recombined into horrific zombie-like creatures that can only be killed by dismemberment. As Isaac seeks to restore power to the ship he discovers the influence of a scientologist-like cult that focused on a monolithic alien artifact. Power from the artifact may be creating the necromorph zombies, and may also be responsible for visions that plague Isaac as he works.
Along with the announcement of the hiring of a director, it appears that Temple Hill will be releasing the name or names of the scribes who will be penning the script.
I personally don't find this good news. I honestly was hoping that Caruso and pal Shia Lebeouf would get their stuff together and start production on their talked about Y The Last Man adaptation, but that appears to be taking a back seat to this video game to film adaptation. Sure, the plot sounds intriguing, and the world can ALWAYS use great sci-fi films, but I think a Y The Last Man adaptation would be both more interesting, and a better sell. That said, I also really don't think that Caruso's style fits this project at all.
What do YOU think?
Go see something good!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
VIDEO: Prince Of Persia Footage...
So, one of the benefits of being out of school, is that I get to watch a lot more television in between moving and family gatherings. One thing I got a chance to see this Mother's Day Weekend was a special on ABC regarding upcoming Disney projects. Along with the first full trailer for the Princess and The Frog (I will get to that in another post), was the first footage from both the set and the actual film, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. It looks pretty cool, but I still can't get over how horrible of a casting job they did with the main character. I am a Jake Gyllenhaal fan, but he's just not right for the role. Who knows, he could be great, but this footage doesn't really do anything for my anticipation for this film.
Based on the popular action adventure video game, Prince of Persia tells the story of an adventurous prince who teams up with a rival princess to stop an angry ruler from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy the world. Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) must join forces with Tamina (Gemma Arterton), a feisty and exotic princess, to prevent a villainous nobleman from possessing the Sands of Time, a gift from the gods that can reverse time. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire helmer Mike Newell is directing, and Alfed Molina.
Go see something good!
Based on the popular action adventure video game, Prince of Persia tells the story of an adventurous prince who teams up with a rival princess to stop an angry ruler from unleashing a sandstorm that could destroy the world. Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal) must join forces with Tamina (Gemma Arterton), a feisty and exotic princess, to prevent a villainous nobleman from possessing the Sands of Time, a gift from the gods that can reverse time. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire helmer Mike Newell is directing, and Alfed Molina.
Go see something good!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
OPINION: Why Video Game Movies Suck, and Why Bioshock Will Be Different...
It's been a slow news week this week. Outside of some minor stuff, probably the biggest, or most interesting news coming out of the world that we like to call Hollywood, is this:
It looks as though Gore Verbinski has decided to ditch the franchise he helped boost, the Pirates series, to go work on the video game adaptation, Bioshock.
Before I get into what makes this news interesting, here is the VERY brief plot synopsis of the Ayn Rand influenced survival-horror video game.
The story of Bioshock places you in the mind of Jack, a regular guy. You are on a airplane crossing the Atlantic Ocean, when suddenly the plane crashes into the sea. Your only hope for survival is a large tower on a small island near the crash site. You make your way inside and take a small submersible down to the under water city of Rapture. You must fight the inhabitants of the underwater hell in order to survive.
Now what makes this news interesting, outside of the fact that Pirates 4 is now in limbo (will be done, just don't know by who), but it's because of this little coda.
Video game movies suck, and always have.
Just take a look at the track record of films. Double Dragon, Mario Brothers, Street Fighter, Wing Commander, Tomb Raider, House of The Dead, Doom, DOA: Dead Or Alive, and the people in Hollywood even messed up Hitman.
Yes, there have been quite a few bright spots, particularly Silent Hill. Probably my favorite video game franchise, this film left me frightened, and most importantly I think, wanting to put in the disc and start up the game. Great performances, alright script, and a great score all were amped up by the most important thing about that franchise, the mood. However, where this one succeeded, many, well, most, have failed. And there is a distinct reason for this.
The biggest thing hindering this medium from making the jump to feature film, is the lack of narrative storytelling within the game. Yes, there are a few games series that rely heavily on plot and plot movement. Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, and yes, Bioshock. Bioshock has a very deep and compelling plot, yet it may not be enough to make the jump to the silver screen.
The best example of a film without a plot stinking up the cinemas is Hitman. Basically a game about a guy who goes around assassinating folks sounds like an interesting game, right? Yeah, it does, and it really is. However, take that to the film studios, you throw in a newcomer director, religious cults, and a hot Russian, and you get a schlock fest to end all schlock fests. Want another example? Max Payne will give you one. Basically a game about a man who wants revenge for the death of his family (sounds like our favorite caped crusader, right?), yet you take out any interesting concepts about the act of revenge, or any plot turns that happened in the game, and throw in Mila Kunis, and you get a gorgeous failure.
Yet, go back to Silent Hill. In my humble opinion, the creepiest game in the history of video games, not only has a brilliant visual style, but the storyline is so deep within the series that it allows the player to not only chew on the visual style, but get their appetite fulfilled by omnomnoming one hell of a great plot line, that balances their distinct sense of horror, religion, and creative narrative.
That smaller, yet influential, thing hindering video games from making the jump is one simple thing. Participation. Video games, with the huge influence of sandbox games like GTA and the like, have become heavily open ended. Almost to a point where they can be comparable to chose your own story books. Games like the aforementioned GTA could never work, as they are based to heavily on our imagination to fill in voids in the plot, and also what we do as the character in the game.
That is one thing going for Bioshock. Not only does it have a great and compelling story, but it's also, while the game-play is influenced by upgrades, is rather heavy in narrative game-play. Another thing as well is that the main character is compelling. Games like Halo wouldn't work, as the main character isn't truly a part of the narrative in any interesting way.
The one thing not boding well for Bioshock, is the medium in which it's being adapted. Modern film makers are not simply attempting to adapt something. Sure, Watchmen was basically a straight adaptation, but that leads me to my point. Modern films, or at least ones that are worth watching, are striving to say something more than simply a storyline. Yes, there are your Slumdogs, but even that film had the subplot of what it takes to come out of poverty. The Wrestler had the poverty subtext, Benjamin Button was about aging, love, and a thousand other things that I could, but won't list, and you have the aformentioned Watchmen, which tried to say just about every thing but the blue, atomic kitchen sink. That is where video games falter. In that respectable medium, it's simply about the interactive narrative, no subtext, leaving not much to be said for either discussion, or multiple viewings. What makes a film successful is not the box office, but the amount of times one is willing to subject themselves to the film, and if it leaves you feeling something. Anger, sadness, or happiness, all make films worth spending 8 dollars.
So sure, there is a great history of craptastic video games, but you know what. Here's to Bioshock. Here's to hoping a great game can be turned into a great film.
Actually, on that fact, I have a question, or more a series of questions.
I want to hear from you guys, on the following:
I want you all to go ahead, pick a video game, cast the leads, give me a director, and think of a one, two, or three sentence plot synopsis. Be creative!
Go see something good!
It looks as though Gore Verbinski has decided to ditch the franchise he helped boost, the Pirates series, to go work on the video game adaptation, Bioshock.
Before I get into what makes this news interesting, here is the VERY brief plot synopsis of the Ayn Rand influenced survival-horror video game.
The story of Bioshock places you in the mind of Jack, a regular guy. You are on a airplane crossing the Atlantic Ocean, when suddenly the plane crashes into the sea. Your only hope for survival is a large tower on a small island near the crash site. You make your way inside and take a small submersible down to the under water city of Rapture. You must fight the inhabitants of the underwater hell in order to survive.
Now what makes this news interesting, outside of the fact that Pirates 4 is now in limbo (will be done, just don't know by who), but it's because of this little coda.
Video game movies suck, and always have.
Just take a look at the track record of films. Double Dragon, Mario Brothers, Street Fighter, Wing Commander, Tomb Raider, House of The Dead, Doom, DOA: Dead Or Alive, and the people in Hollywood even messed up Hitman.
Yes, there have been quite a few bright spots, particularly Silent Hill. Probably my favorite video game franchise, this film left me frightened, and most importantly I think, wanting to put in the disc and start up the game. Great performances, alright script, and a great score all were amped up by the most important thing about that franchise, the mood. However, where this one succeeded, many, well, most, have failed. And there is a distinct reason for this.
The biggest thing hindering this medium from making the jump to feature film, is the lack of narrative storytelling within the game. Yes, there are a few games series that rely heavily on plot and plot movement. Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, and yes, Bioshock. Bioshock has a very deep and compelling plot, yet it may not be enough to make the jump to the silver screen.
The best example of a film without a plot stinking up the cinemas is Hitman. Basically a game about a guy who goes around assassinating folks sounds like an interesting game, right? Yeah, it does, and it really is. However, take that to the film studios, you throw in a newcomer director, religious cults, and a hot Russian, and you get a schlock fest to end all schlock fests. Want another example? Max Payne will give you one. Basically a game about a man who wants revenge for the death of his family (sounds like our favorite caped crusader, right?), yet you take out any interesting concepts about the act of revenge, or any plot turns that happened in the game, and throw in Mila Kunis, and you get a gorgeous failure.
Yet, go back to Silent Hill. In my humble opinion, the creepiest game in the history of video games, not only has a brilliant visual style, but the storyline is so deep within the series that it allows the player to not only chew on the visual style, but get their appetite fulfilled by omnomnoming one hell of a great plot line, that balances their distinct sense of horror, religion, and creative narrative.
That smaller, yet influential, thing hindering video games from making the jump is one simple thing. Participation. Video games, with the huge influence of sandbox games like GTA and the like, have become heavily open ended. Almost to a point where they can be comparable to chose your own story books. Games like the aforementioned GTA could never work, as they are based to heavily on our imagination to fill in voids in the plot, and also what we do as the character in the game.
That is one thing going for Bioshock. Not only does it have a great and compelling story, but it's also, while the game-play is influenced by upgrades, is rather heavy in narrative game-play. Another thing as well is that the main character is compelling. Games like Halo wouldn't work, as the main character isn't truly a part of the narrative in any interesting way.
The one thing not boding well for Bioshock, is the medium in which it's being adapted. Modern film makers are not simply attempting to adapt something. Sure, Watchmen was basically a straight adaptation, but that leads me to my point. Modern films, or at least ones that are worth watching, are striving to say something more than simply a storyline. Yes, there are your Slumdogs, but even that film had the subplot of what it takes to come out of poverty. The Wrestler had the poverty subtext, Benjamin Button was about aging, love, and a thousand other things that I could, but won't list, and you have the aformentioned Watchmen, which tried to say just about every thing but the blue, atomic kitchen sink. That is where video games falter. In that respectable medium, it's simply about the interactive narrative, no subtext, leaving not much to be said for either discussion, or multiple viewings. What makes a film successful is not the box office, but the amount of times one is willing to subject themselves to the film, and if it leaves you feeling something. Anger, sadness, or happiness, all make films worth spending 8 dollars.
So sure, there is a great history of craptastic video games, but you know what. Here's to Bioshock. Here's to hoping a great game can be turned into a great film.
Actually, on that fact, I have a question, or more a series of questions.
I want to hear from you guys, on the following:
I want you all to go ahead, pick a video game, cast the leads, give me a director, and think of a one, two, or three sentence plot synopsis. Be creative!
Go see something good!
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