In the 90s, movies based on video games were often a source of amusement – adaptations like Super Mario Bros. and Street Fighter were met with confusion and disappointment. However, the landscape has shifted, and now filmmakers see the potential in bringing interactive entertainment to the big screen, paving the way for game adaptations to become the next big thing akin to the superhero genre.
Gone are the days when superhero movies dominated the box office with their colorful costumes and larger-than-life characters. Audiences are now seeking fresh narratives, prompting even industry giants like Marvel to scale back their superhero projects. As Hollywood looks for new sources of inspiration, video games have emerged as a treasure trove of untapped stories and ideas, as noted by journalist Jason Schreier.
The recent success of the Illumination Mario movie, the popularity of the Fallout series by Amazon, the positive reception of the Sonic the Hedgehog films, and the critical acclaim for The Last of Us series on HBO all point to the growing synergy between games and cinema. Industry expert David A. Gross highlights the appeal of adapting both blockbuster games and lesser-known titles, citing the wealth of existing storylines waiting to be explored.
For instance, the success story of Dredge, a game centered around fishing in a perilous ocean, underscores the potential of adapting niche games into compelling cinematic experiences. Nadia Thorne, co-founder of Black Salt Games, recounts her initial disbelief at receiving offers to adapt Dredge, only to later collaborate with industry giants like Story Kitchen on various projects, including adaptations of Sonic the Hedgehog, It Takes Two, Vampire Survivors, and Slime Rancher.
Chairman of Lionsgate Entertainment Corp. Adam Fogelson dispels the notion of a curse surrounding video game adaptations, attributing past failures to a lack of respect for the source material. With a new generation of filmmakers who grew up playing games now leading the charge, there is a renewed focus on authenticity and fidelity to the original content. Industry veterans like Todd Howard emphasize the meticulous attention to detail in bringing beloved games like Fallout to life on screen.
Looking ahead, the future holds a wealth of possibilities for gamers as more interactive projects are adapted into movies or series. Titles like Horizon Zero Dawn, God of War, Ghost of Tsushima, Gravity Rush, Minecraft, BioShock, Borderlands, and many others are poised to captivate audiences in new and exciting ways.
Original from stopgame.ru