Know Your Gaming Movies
When a movie is released based entirely on the intellectual property of a video game, some hesitance arises. These game-to-film adaptations hold little roots in the history of movies as few have managed to prove successful.
Fortunately a few outliers lay faith in the game to film conversion process. While films such as Street Fighter prove that poorly made adaptations can still prove profitable, recent hit series such as the Resident Evil films show you can do most things right and shed some light for other gaming enthusiast film directors.
So with a lot of recent announcements along the lines of Bioshock and World Of Warcraft I took it upon myself to investigate and hunt down all films currently in production that are based off an original video game intellectual property. So here’s a list.
This is a list of all films I could find in production that are based off original video game properties. If there’s been a game of it, but it wasn’t originally a game, it isn’t included.
A lot of these films have had rights purchased years ago, traded many hands, producers, developers, and exist today in some sort of symbiotically mutated form.
I’ve held back on a few titles that have had no progress in production for years implying a destiny of development hell and tried to pack as much information as possible into those lacking. Some titles I was very hesitant to include due to their status, such as the Metroid film but included anyway due to it’s popularity and chances of eventually coming through.
If you find any potential additions, updates, changes or corrections for this list let me know at jordan(at)space-meat(dot)com!
Alone In The Dark 2
American McGee’s Alice
Area 51
Bioshock
Bloodrayne 3
Broken Sword
Castlevania
City Of Heroes
Clock Tower
Condemned : Criminal Origins
Devil May Cry
Dragon’s Lair
Driver
Earthworm Jim
Everquest
Far Cry
Fear Effect
Gears Of War
God Of War
Halo
Hunter : The Reckoning
Kane & Lynch : Dead Men
Max Payne
Metal Gear Solid
Metroid
Nightmare Creatures
Onimusha
Postal
Prince Of Persia : The Sands Of Time
Resident Evil : Degeneration
Return To Castle Wolfenstein
Sabotage 1943 (Velvet Assassin)
Silent Hill 2
Siren (Forbidden Siren)
Spyro The Dragon
Spy Hunter
Street Fighter : The Legend Of Chun Li
Tekken
The Neverhood
The Sims
The Suffering
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell
World Of Warcraft
Zombie Massacre
Release Date : 2009
Production Company : Boll KG
Director : Michael Roesch / Peter Scheerer
Production Status : Filming completed
Information:
2005 was a grim year for movies, entirely caused by Uwe Boll’s atrocious film adaptation of Alone In The Dark. So he’s producing a second, with the same writers and some new directors. Straight to DVD, while that doesn’t specify ‘bargain bin’ that’s where it will end, and it will not be a bargain at all. Filming has completed for this so unfortunately it’s definitely coming out though a release date of 2009 is set – this time with all new actors over the original film.
Release Date : 2009
Production Company : Universal Pictures
Director : Marcus Nispel
Production Status : Casting
Information:
The movie rights to Alice were secured many years ago but have traded hands, developers, and screen writers to the point where it is now scheduled for a 2009 release. Currently in hands with Universal Pictures, this film is still yet to start shooting but has Sarah Michelle Gellar signed up against director Marcus Nispel who is known for many big name music videos such as Janet Jackson. Relevant? Not really, but about as relevant as Sarah Michelle Gellar is to Alice. This game had a real style to it which I’d only need to point out to people who have never heard of it. If you haven’t, I suggest you play it. McGee’s warped view on Alice In Wonderland makes a great game and potentially great movie.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : Paramount Pictures
Director : N/A
Production Status : Screenplay / Script Writing
Information:
Based on a FPS from 2005, the game scored some good publicity by hiring David Duchovny (of X-Files fame) to voice the main character so it would be nice to see him also star in the film but this would be pipe dreaming. The rights for the film were bought by Paramount Pictures a year before the games release, though last year saw graphic novel writer Grant Morrison taking up screenplay.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : Universal Studios
Director : Gore Verbinski
Production Status : N/A
Information:
One of our most recent announcements, if any game deserved a film tribute it would be Bioshock. Rumors and requests for it have been flying since the games release, so Take-Two and Universal answered the call and are giving director Gore Verbinski a big budget to make it happen. Still little news on this due to the announcement being very recent.
Release Date : 2009
Production Company : Boll KG
Director : Uwe Boll
Production Status : N/A
Information:
Another poor sequel to a dodgy prequel, Uwe Boll will be producing this one but leaving the directors chair open to fresh meat. No information yet but with Uwe’s recent persistence and output I’d imagine a late 2009 straight-to-DVD release.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : N/A
Director : N/A
Production Status : N/A
Information:
This popular adventure series is to expect a movie tribute according to the game’s developer, Charles Cecil. Last year this was announced yet today nothing more is known. No signs have arisen of the project fading or losing interest, so we’ll have to wait for more on this one.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : Rogue Pictures
Director : Sylvain White
Production Status : Halted
Information:
Movie rights for Castlevania is another property that has swapped a few hands and had a few plans – right up until it’s current shelfing. The project was put on standby late last year due to the writers’ strike, but current producing company Rogue Pictures and director Sylvain White are still adament in the films’ eventual release so for now, details as to story and actors are unknown.
Release Date : 2010
Production Company : N/A
Director : N/A
Production Status : N/A
Information:
June 2007 saw Tom DeSanto (who worked on the recent Transformers film) acquiring rights to City Of Heroes.
He then confirmed in February 2008 that preperations are underway. A plot summary has been devised and DeSanto seems very set on producing more than just a film on City Of Heroes, potentially extending into a television series.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : The Weinstein Company
Director : Martin Weisz
Production Status : N/A
Information:
Survival horror games generally make great IP for a film. There’s always a level of creative input and stylish presentation in the genre that translates to other mediums. Clock Tower could be a great film though current director Martin Weisz doesn’t sound too promising after his take with The Hills Have Eyes 2. Blech. It was just recently that news of this film came about, to be based on the story of Clock Tower 2.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : Warner Brothers Studios
Director : N/A
Production Status : Writing / Screenplay
Information:
Warner Brothers Studios confirmed they were set to bring the world of Condemned to the cinema under a film tentatively titled “(The) Unforgettable”.
I am yet to play Condemned so I’m not sure how the intellectual property will come out on film but the obvious gritty scenery and adult direction shows some strong elements.
As this also seems to be more of a ‘universe’ film the story won’t follow any of the events of the two games too closely but more tell of alternate stories occuring in the world.
Still scheduled for release this year, I would expect that date to drop further.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : N/A
Director : N/A
Production Status : N/A
Information:
No information on this is available but it has been announced, my confidence with it’s eventual release residing in the knowledge of how much content this series has spawned, from multiple sequels and prequels to novels and even an anime series.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : N/A
Director : N/A
Production Status : Scripted / Pre-Production
Information:
Popular 1980′s Laserdisc game Dragon’s Lair has a finished script from Don Bluth but is yet to begin production. Animated, and rightly so, coming from Warner Bros. Animation this will be as family friendly as it always has been, so some comedic and nostalgic appreciation may be in order when this one comes out.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : Rogue Pictures
Director : Roger Avary
Production Status : Filming on hold
Information:
Apparently this film was originally planned to release alongside Driv3r, which is fortunate for the film as the game was a complete load of garbage. Another hot-potato, this film has swapped hands and currently resides again with Rogue Pictures, with Roger Avary on screen writing. While the recent games have sucked there’s a good gangster action movie in here and with a $48 million budget the film has currently been put on hold for relocation but seems solid as ever.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : N/A
Director : N/A
Production Status : N/A
Information:
Doug TenNapel is set to bring back his more popular franchise, the Earthworm by the name of Jim. Now this is an old series I can relate to. Not only is a new film in the works for Jim, but a game and potential new series too.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : Sony Pictures Entertainment
Director : N/A
Production Status : N/A
Information:
Sony Pictures have teamed up with Avi Arad (Marvel Comics) to bring the world of EverQuest to the cinema. How long will this movie go for? Michael Gordon (300) has been hired to write the script with a non-specific release date of 2009-2010.
Release Date : August 1st, 2008
Production Company : Brightlight Pictures
Director : Uwe Boll
Production Status : Post Production
Information:
Uwe Boll planned on disgracing Far Cry before it even came out, alledgedly acquiring movie rights for this before the game was launched. This movie seems to be in the wraps, with a full cast listed for release August 1st, 2008. All I know is that lead actor Til Schweiger better be wearing a damn bright red hawaiian shirt or I’m outta there.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : Mindfire Entertainment
Director : N/A
Production Status : N/A
Information:
I was hesitant in including the film of Fear Effect in this list as it’s production seems to have entirely halted for now. Originall purchase by (you guessed it) Uwe Boll, these rights were supposed to also allow Mr. Boll to also create a Hitman film but Eidos stinged their part of the deal leaving Mindfire Entertainment to pick up Fear Effect. No details are known with set cast and contributers still in discussion.
Release Date : 2009
Production Company : New Line Cinema
Director : N/A
Production Status : N/A
Information:
Gears Of War is a full-throttle action game that could do the big screen some expensive justice. Considering the huge scale production of Gears Of War, a movie isn’t too surprising – this one coming from New Line Cinema with Cliff Bleszinski of EPIC Games executive producing. A release date is tentatively set on 2009/2010 which isn’t saying much, but hopefully this will be a big budget blast fest to pay great tribute to the action of Gears Of War.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : Universal Studios
Director : Brett Ratner (Rumor)
Production Status : N/A
Information:
David Jaffe has confirmed that Universal Studios are to be backing a God Of War film of which was first announced back in 2005. This is another project that is taking years to come into proper fruition but if done could be done very well. I’d love to see Kratos up on the big screen and even re-creating Kratos’ in a seperate story for the cinema could still result in an epic mythological film to rival all other big budget epics. Unfortunately it’s all still in discussion, but here’s hoping.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : 20th Century FOX
Director : N/A (Peter Jackson)
Production Status : Stalled
Information:
A screenplay for a Halo film has been continually written and dissected over the years by some big name writers. In fact this film has gone through some radical changes and progressions over the years, passing through the hands of FOX Studios, Universal Pictures and the infamous involvement of Peter Jackson. Living, dying and being resurrected again, Jackson still assures that this film is to see an eventual release. Considering the potential audience and names already involved in this film it should definitely enter production again sometime soon so this is another title to keep a look out for.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : N/A
Director : N/A
Production Status : Pre-Production
Information:
Announced last year, things are being made a tad darker and brooding for the movie of Hunter : The Reckoning. While an announcement and few details have been confirmed inlcuding story direction and writers, other elements such as producers and directors are yet to be determined.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : Lionsgate
Director : Simon Crane
Production Status : Casting
Information:
Despite being a crappy game Lionsgate are up for putting Kane & Lynch on the big screen but that’s all that’s known for now. Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton were rumored to star, recent speculations enforcing this.
Release Date : October 17th, 2008
Production Company : 20th Century Fox
Director : John Moore
Production Status : Filming
Information:
Here’s what I’m looking forward to most at the moment. One of my favourite games, Max Payne has Mark Wahlberg donning the squinty-face and painkiller addiction on the big screen October 17th this year. I would have loved to see a faithful recreation of the events of the original game but the movie will be venturing a bit further down the track as Max investigates a serial murder years after the events concering his family.
Hopefully they’ll stick to the original style and concept of Max Payne, and Mark Wahlberg better harden up for this one as Max is not a man to be fucked with.
Coming to you from 20th Century Fox, Max Payne looks like some big budget fun for the mature kids so look forward to this one.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : N/A
Director : N/A
Production Status : N/A
Information:
No names are set for a Metal Gear Solid film yet, but the series’ creator Hideo Kojima first announced his plans for an MGS film in 2006. Kojima has pushed the game towards Hollywood for a more American film which is fine by me and his personal involvement implies this film will most certainly eventually surface with a set cast and director.
We all know Metal Gear Solid games are a film in their own right. A real life Solid Snake may be quite satisfying on the big screen but somewhat unnecessary – can’t we just play the games?
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : Lion Rock Productions
Director : N/A
Production Status : N/A
Information:
Another title I was hesitant to include as the Metroid film rights have gone nowhere for a long time. Different directors and producers have been rumored for Metroid over the years but the film is currently in hands with Lion Rock Productions. Considering they have done nothing with this licence for years, and no news has been heard, don’t count on much for a Metroid movie.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : Le Studio Canal
Director :Ralph Zondag
Production Status : N/A
Information:
While Nightmare Creatures has enough story and content in it to make a movie, I’m surprised to come across this project as it is now quite an old game not too many will remember. Shows what they’ve got is obviously still good enough to make a movie with so keep holding out for any solid news.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : Paramount Pictures
Director : Christophe Gans
Production Status : Stalled
Information:
Onimusha was a rare case of a game to movie adaptation rolling quite smoothly since inception. Slated with a $70 million + budget, Silent Hill director Christophe Gans was on this one until the recent passing of Heath Ledger caused a film development stalling cycle that worked it’s way all the way through to Onimusha. Most names are still attached to the film, but for now Christophe is working on alternate projects as all the crew for Onimusha work out production calendars once more.
Silent Hill was a good movie and Onimusha was a great game, so in all rights this should be a great movie. Right? Samonosuke’s original voice actor Takeshi Kanshiro has been rumored to star his lead role which would be a great positive move for an eventually enjoyable film.
Release Date : Out
Production Company : Freestyle Releasing
Director : Uwe Boll
Production Status : Finished
Information:
From the director who once initiated a boxing match between him and his own critics, I’m glad Postal ended up in Uwe Boll’s hands. I’m also glad he now has a movie to make that CAN be as atrociously plotted and poorly conveyed in a matter that will suit the original property.
This has all been clearly confirmed as Postal is currently struggling to air at all in America. Apparently the opening scene makes a mockery of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, prompting the original 1500 cinemas set to play the film to back out. The original launch day of May 23rd saw 12 cinemas country-wide opening their doors to Postal punters.
So Postal is already made and out, it’s just hard to see anywhere (legally). With notes from Uwe such as -
“In a scene set at this amusement park, he also says his movies are financed with Nazi gold (a response to an actual accusation rumored on the Internet). The fight over the Krotchy dolls ultimately ends in a wild gunfight during which Boll is being shot in the scrotum, his last line being “I hate video games.”"
He’s obviously taking the attitude Postal deserves so this could be quite a funny film.
Uwe Boll has confirmed he will make Postal 2. Shows the guys commitment. Good on him!
Prince Of Persia : The Sands Of Time
Release Date : June 19th 2009
Production Company : Walt Disney Pictures
Director : Mike Newell
Production Status : N/A
Information:
While so much is set on this for such a promising film, the release date isn’t until June 10th 2009 so a while to wait is still in order.
This film has some big names behind it, most notably Jerry Bruckheimer as producer and starring Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko, Brokeback Mountain).
What’s most interesting as while the film will not be following PoP : SoT exactly, it’s still being written by the series original creator Jordan Mechner who not only has a great first name but has been doing a pretty good job to date.
Release Date : 2008
Production Company : Sony Pictures Entertainment Japan
Director : N/A
Production Status : In Production
Information:
The next installment to the Resident Evil film franchise is to be an animated one, with Degeneration being a full length CGI film scheduled for release this year.
Set in an Airport featuring Leon Kennedy and Claire Redfield, some impressive CGI work can make this a satisfying zombie film. Probably more of a spin-off on the movies, it would have been nice to see another live action film on Resident Evil but sometimes too much can be enough for a series and this may be the case.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : N/A
Director : Roger Avary
Production Status : N/A
Information:
This has been discussed by iD for a few years now. If any light was beginning to shed on this project, it was quickly dimmed when potential writer/director Roger Avary recently got himself convicted in a case of DUI and manslaughter. I’m guessing he didn’t get drunk and ram his friend into a tree as a $50,000 bail soon saw him back out on the streets.
No better time to get back to making movies I say, though co-creator Samuel Hadida won’t be keen for any late nights out post-production drinking.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : Boll KG
Director : Uwe Boll
Production Status : N/A
Information:
Uwe Boll’s still following his trend of acquiring movie rights before a game’s even released, in this case we’re looking at Velvet Assassin, an upcoming action game for XBOX 360 and PC. It’s to be set in the midst of World War II but until the game surfaces it’s tough to know what the movie will be like.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : N/A
Director : N/A
Production Status : N/A
Information:
The original creators behind the first film were scheduled and happy to continue production for Silent Hill 2 despite time demands from other projects such as Onimusha. Unfortunately mid last year saw denial of this, as Avary and Gans both confirmed their withdrawal from the Silent Hill 2 project.
This doesn’t mean no movie though, but for now Silent Hill 2 remains in pre-production whilst looking for a solid team.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : Ghost House Pictures
Director : N/A
Production Status : N/A
Information:
This old horror PS2 title had a Japanese film made in 2006 to coincide with the games’ sequel launch.
2006 then saw Ghost House Pictures again acquire a licence for a film, and have been working along with it ever since. Little detail is known, but it’s most certainly being made.
I’d expect a direct-to-DVD release for this one.
Release Date : 2009
Production Company : N/A
Director : N/A
Production Status : N/A
Information:
Purple dragons are popular with kids, popular enough in fact that a CGI film of Spyro is scheduled for 2009 following the games’ universe and story.
Nifty, if you want to see a Spyro CGI film.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : Universal Pictures
Director : Paul W.S. Anderson
Production Status : N/A
Information:
Years ago the Spy Hunter film was looking like quite a production – starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and being directed by John Woo.
Unfortunately, like many others, it has also traded many hands to this day reside with Paul W.S. Anderson of gaming movie fame. Considering Paul has worked on Resident Evil films, Alien Vs. Predator and even the original Mortal Kombat – they may not be great but he knows what he’s doing enough for me to expect and anticipate an eventual large-scale film on Spy Hunter.
A new script and screenplay are in the works with the film officially being in pre-production.
Street Fighter : The Legend Of Chun Li
Release Date : 2009
Production Company : 20th Century FOX
Director : Andrzej Bartkowiak
Production Status : N/A
Information:
I love the original Street Fighter movie. It’s one of those b-grade films you see as a kid based on one of your favourite games, without noticing how ridiculous Kylie Minogue looks in tight army gear as Cammy.
Jean Claude Van Damme was asked to reprise his role of Guile in this film but we can all guess how he responded to that.
For now this new Street Fighter film has Smallville star Kristin Kreuk playing Chun Li, scheduled for release Feburary 27th 2009.
For some reason I’m assuming this will focus primarily on Chun Li, and will boast production values similar to the last attempt. I’ll still be sure to see it.
UPDATE – Apparently this film will not feature either Ryu or Ken, two of the main poster boys for the Street Fighter series. An interesting move, and potentially fatal…
Release Date : 2009
Production Company : Crystal Sky Pictures
Director : Dwight H. Little
Production Status : N/A
Information:
The 2009 scheduled live action Tekken film follows Jin Kazama and his quest to subdue his inner demon and free his soul.
Tekken does actually have quite a convoluted plot throughout each installment, so seeing a full scale big budget ($100 million) movie in production is somewhat titillating, if not only for the potential buxom broads involved (although Dead Or Alive taught me this means nothing).
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : Frederator Films
Director : N/A
Production Status : N/A
Information:
The Neverhood is an excellent and quirky claymation adventure game released in 1996 by Doug TenNapel (Earthworm Jim) and Dreamworks Studios.
An exceeding title of little audience, The Neverhood was never quite appreciated to the level it deserves. So now Doug has teamed up with a new group Frederator Studios to produce a smaller budget animated film on The Neverhood.
May be nice, if you ever hear about it again after now.
Release Date : 2009
Production Company : 20th Century FOX
Director : N/A
Production Status : N/A
Information:
If there’s ever anything the world didn’t need – it’s a movie of The Sims. What could this possibly be about? There’s less potential content here than an episode of Big Brother, and that’s getting into the negative content output figures here.
Whatever I and many others think about it, it’s definitely going ahead. 20th Century Fox bought these film rights in May 07 and have since given writing duties to Brian Lynch and and producing efforts will go to John Davis (Eragon).
Scheduled for a 2009 release.
Release Date : 08/09
Production Company : MTV Films
Director : Kyle Haarklau
Production Status : N/A
Information:
2005 saw Midway and MTV Films partner up to begin production on a film of The Suffering. Quite a violent and offensive game, The Suffering should work nicely on film if it’s done right. Apparently some new blood is behind the directors chair and while a 2008 release date still seems set for The Suffering, not much more is known.
Release Date : N/A
Production Company : DreamWorks
Director : N/A
Production Status : Stalled
Information:
A teaser trailer for a Splinter Cell film was included with Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell : Chaos Theory so while the project was most assured, production rights swapped hands a bit until it’s current position with DreamWorks who seem to have left the project in development hell for some time.
We’ve been told it’s coming so I’m still expecting a Splinter Cell film but for now nothing more is known.
Release Date : 2009
Production Company : Legendary Pictures
Director : N/A
Production Status : Casting
Information:
Legendary Pictures bought film rights for World Of Warcraft in May 2006. Legendary are claiming to be working closely with Blizzard designers to translate the Warcraft universe on to film and with a $100 million budget here’s hoping they do it well.
The Warcraft film is to focus on an alternate storyline involving characters set in the familiar universe which is both disappointing and inspiring, especially if Blizzard are really getting behind this one a whole new page in the Warcraft world could be opened.
Scheduled for release 2009, the film will follow the Alliance side of things with an ease on the violence for hopes of a family audience.
imdb have Chris Metzen listed as writer for the film, who has worked on writing for many Blizzard games from Starcraft, to Warcraft and Diablo.
Release Date : 2010
Production Company : Boll KG
Director : Uwe Boll
Production Status : N/A
Information:
Uwe Boll planning another zombie movie is definitely not a good sign. I suggest avoiding this at all costs (seriously, even if it costs you).
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