The lasting effect of early video game movies still lives on as every announcement awakens fans’ fears that their favorite franchise is about to be ruined by Hollywood. However, in 2019Detective Pikachuhelped usher in a new era of where video game adaptation were suddenly good.
It only made sense then thatSonicandMariowould come next, with Sega’s blue hedgehog making many change their minds on whether it was possible to create a successful film franchise that could honor the legacy of the games. WithThe Super Marios Bros. Moviealready showing tons of promise and charm, here are some of the video game franchises with brimming potential to make it to the big screen.
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Samus Aran -Metroid
Despite her exploits on the NES and Super Nintendo, Samus’ star has slowly faded as years have passed to the point whereMetroid Dread’s2.9 million copies sold can be called a success. Nevertheless, the space bounty hunter offers a world like no other just begging to be brought over to film, largely thanks to the fact thatMetroidgames already have the ability of evoking feelings of fear, uncertainty and being lost when Samus is traversing any of their mysterious and obscure locations.
Not only that, in day and age where Hollywood is constantly looking for its next iconic female hero, Samus is as close it gets to a fresh version of Sigourney Weaver inAlienwith all the backing of a beloved franchise that’s never received the movie treatment. AMetroidmovie could see Samus tackle missions from any of her games, be itMetroid Prime,Super Metroidor evenOther M. When it comes towomen in gaming, Samus is hard to beat, and she’s perfect blockbuster material.
Link -The Legend Of Zelda
When the newMariomovie was announced, Nintendo fans started makingmemes about theSuper Smash Bros.cinematic universein no time, and one can’t simply have such a thing without Link and Zelda. The epic scale of Link’s quests has for long made it the target of speculation regarding a series or movie adaptation, with Netflix maybe coming closest to convincing Nintendo to give it a go.
Meticulous pieces of fanart have already imagined what aLegend of Zeldacast could look like, and though much of it could depend on Mario’s fortunes, aZeldamovie seems almost inevitable. One thing though, the disorderly nature in whichNintendo has released Link’s adventures makes Zeldaalmost too perfect for a film franchise, as there’s practically no wrong way to kickstart the project, as well as offering aDoctor Who-type possibility for future recasts.
Ezio Auditore -Assassin’s Creed
Sure, there’s already anAssassin’s Creedmovie out there, but the problem is that 2016 adaptation didn’t give fans the story they really wanted, which was none other than Ezio Auditore da Firenze’s. WhileAssassin’s Creed: Valhallais still going strong for Ubisoft, and bothOriginsandOdysseyhave steered the franchise into new territory gameplay wise, many gamers would argueAssassin’s Creedhit its peak during the Ezio trilogy, especially in terms of story.
Perhaps the trickiest part about adaptingAssassin’s Creedis getting the Animus right, however, Ezio’s life offers what that failed movie lacked which is a captivating story from beginning to end in the facet that made the games so great, its unique brand of historical fiction.Assassin’s Creed 2,BrotherhoodandRevelationssaw the character mature from a reckless young man into a wise master assassin and porting Ezio to film could really add that extra nuance and depth the games didn’t have room for. Netflix may be working on a live-action series, but forAssassin’s Creedit might as well be Ezioor bust.
Solid Snake -Metal Gear
Technically this one is already closer to becoming a reality than any other game to movie adaptation asOscar Isaac was already cast as Solid Snake, Jordan Vogt-Roberts (Kong: Skull Island) was tapped as director, and evenJurassic World’sDerek Connolly had reportedly penned a script, but it’s been really long since fans have heard anything about it. Luckily, Sony owns the rights toMetal Gear Solid, andUnchartedandGran Turismospeak volumes about the company’s willingness to make it happen.
Regardless of that, the biggest obstacle so far is the film’s creative staff putting together a story good enough to warrant filming, so at least the team is handling Solid Snake with the utmost care.Metal Gear’slore is massive, and it almost feels like the film could either be the launch of a massive espionage franchise or a forgettable adaptation that resembles earlier video game movies.
Sam Fisher -Splinter Cell
He’s always stood in Solid Snake’s shadow, but even if Sam Fisher lacks the complexity and epic scale ofMetal Gear, it’s precisely that what makes his transition to film much easier than Kojima’s creation. InJohn Wick’sDerek Kolstad, Netflix’s upcoming animated serieshas the right people for the job, yet it’s hard not to imagine Fisher better suited to movie theaters.
AsMission: Impossible’sEthan Hunt edges closer to retirement and James Bond’s takes a sabbatical, the realm of spy movies could be Sam’s for the taking. No matter which,take anySplinter Cellgameand there’s an action movie somewhere in there tying up all those missions.
