Video Game Character to Movie Star
The Live-Action Adaptation of Video Games a Tried and Tested Genre
Sep 17, 2007
The popularity of video games exploded in 1985 when the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) hit the market. Its flagship video game, Super Mario Brothers, established the system as a household fixture and, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, ranks as the best-selling video game of all time. Eight years later movie producers attempted to transfer that magic to the big screen with the 1993 Super Mario Brothers film. However, the success was not contagious and the film failed to connect with the audience and critics. But this didn't discourage ambitious producers from releasing a live-action version of the immensely popular Double Dragon video game in 1994, a movie that also flopped. That same year the game Street Fighter was also transformed into a movie and, while it did not receive positive critical reviews, it experienced moderate box office success. The following year Mortal Kombat entered movie theaters and became the first truly successful movie adaptation of a video game, paving the way for other successful adaptations such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) and Resident Evil (2002).
Since the introduction of the NES system, a myriad of other systems has flooded the market and each has featured their own popular video games. Movie producers have kept a keen eye on these games and plan to bring many of them to the big screen in the coming years. Here is a sneak peek at some video games that may be coming soon to theaters.
Hitman (Scheduled US release date: November 21, 2007)
Director: Xavier Gens
Based on the franchise of the same name developed by IO Interactive for PC, Xbox 360, Sony Playstation 2 & 3, and Nintendo Gamecube. Like the game, the film will follow the life of Agent 47, a professional assassin for hire. Vin Diesel was originally slated to play the lead but dropped out and was replaced by Timothy Olyphant.
Castlevania (Scheduled US release date: Late 2008 or Early 2009)
Director: Sylvain White
This popular video game was developed by Konami and first featured on the NES system. The live-action version of the vampire-based game has seen several delays and initially featured Resident Evil and Mortal Kombat director Paul W.S. Anderson. Filming will take place in South Africa and Romania.
Halo (Scheduled US release date: Summer 2009)
Director: Neill Blomkamp
The live-action version of Bungie Studio's futuristic flagship game of Microsoft's Xbox 360 was scheduled for a 2008 release but production has been delayed due to financial reasons. Executive producer Peter Jackson will help oversee the film shoot in Wellington, New Zealand, a primary location for his Lord of the Rings films.
Spy Hunter (Scheduled US release date: 2009)
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson
This game was first popularized as an arcade game in 1983 by Midway and since 2003 Universal Pictures has owned the film rights. The script has seen several different writers and the director's chair has changed a few hands but Paul W.S. Anderson has now reportedly taken over the project. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has been rumored as the lead in the film.
Splinter Cell (Scheduled US release date: 2010)
The adaptation of Tom Clancy's Ubisoft video game has seen major hurdles in its pre-production stages and is without a director at present. The game experienced immense success but its legions of fans will have to hold their collective breath for the film as production has reportedly stalled.
There are many other adaptations either being considered by studios or currently in production, but how many will actually materialize into live-action films is uncertain. Look for possible adaptations of such video games as Metal Gear Solid, God of War, Devil May Cry, The Sims, and Prince of Persia, to name a few.
