Assassin's Creed

[MadVillainy]

That's why Sony is lost on their own properties. I like Seth Gordon, but he's known for his comedies and one doc. Why is he the director of Uncharted is beyond me, unless he can pull a Russo Bros.

That's why there is hope: His name is Duncan Jones. Warcraft.

I would have more faith if Gordon did some good comedies. The only one by him I like is Horrible Bosses. Yeah maybe he'll pull a Russo Bros but theres no way to tell

I forgot about Warcraft, but I dont think Warcraft will be a success.

The fantasy genre isnt that big and I think Warcraft as a brand isnt that strong and has a negative stigma attached tot it

 

[Octoberist]

Gotta disagree.

But the negative stigma is within the core game community. Even though they lost subscribers, they still millions upon millions of users. Blizzard gets some flak for their business practice, but like Nintendo, they do offer quality products even if they seem like they seem to complacent.

With bombing? With the international market, it'll be a huge hit since WOW is still huge overseas. Also, visually, if Duncan can nail it down, I think it'll draw people in. He's translating the colorful look, giving the film its own style vs. being a clone of Game of Thrones or Lord of the Rings.

 

[MadVillainy]

It has a negative stigma among the GA. It's seen as really "nerdy" and the only people who play are basement dwellers.

But even beyond that video game subscribers do not translate into Box Office receipts. Even if WOW has 10 million subscribers and every one of them gets a ticket that's still only 12,500,000

Im not saying it wont be a good film. I like Duncan Jones. I just don't see it being a financial success. No big stars and a property that isnt bulletproof.

I think maybe 5-10 years ago it wouldve been a lot more successful. WOW was in it's prime, LOTR was still fresh in people's minds. They couldve piggybacked off those 2 things.

I hope its good though

 

[Octoberist]

We both are knee deep in nerd culture, so I think we may have the best perspective on it. But to me, it's not as negative as you think it is.

This is all moot till the trailer comes out.

 

[MadVillainy]

True.

I hope it's good.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Warcraft has the chance to be successful. You'd be surprised what can be turned around in geek culture. I mean geek culture is pretty much an accepted thing now, it's just about getting one of those things out there and done right. Warcraft is no exception.

 

[Doctor Jones]

You also need a studio/production team that will follow the game stories. I still dont get why they have the property and then ignore the game completely.

Remember the old Uncharted story where it was going to be about a family of tresure hunters who deal out justice to art dealers or whatever...

They have gold in the palm of their hands with Uncharted. More than Gears of War, Bioshock, or any other video game property. It shouldnt be hard to not screw it up.

Also I forgot about the Ratchet and Clank movie. Ill be surprised that it doesnt turn out well for fans of the film

Games are harder to follow though script wise. With Bioshock, sure there's a central story, but you're an unnamed isolated shooter who goes through hallways killing things that pop out at you. You have to make changes there to make an actual narrative. Bioshock Infinite is more friendly in that department however.

Comic books one can pull from many sources and there's more flexibility with that. Here it's much more distinctly told with one sole source. The trouble with video games is that they already have one story and how much do you stay true to it because that story greatly benefits the format of video games. Video games, like comic books can do things movies can't, so concessions have to be made to adapt to film.

I don't want to see the video game on screen. I want to see the story from that video game but still its own thing. That's why in principle Watchmen failed. It utilized too heavily on what makes comic books great instead of trying to be a movie.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

I forgot about Warcraft, but I dont think Warcraft will be a success.

The fantasy genre isnt that big and I think Warcraft as a brand isnt that strong and has a negative stigma attached tot it

Gah! I hope you are wrong. I love the setting & would hate to see it JohnCarter'ed.

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

Games are harder to follow though script wise. With Bioshock, sure there's a central story, but you're an unnamed isolated shooter who goes through hallways killing things that pop out at you. You have to make changes there to make an actual narrative. Bioshock Infinite is more friendly in that department however.

Comic books one can pull from many sources and there's more flexibility with that. Here it's much more distinctly told with one sole source. The trouble with video games is that they already have one story and how much do you stay true to it because that story greatly benefits the format of video games. Video games, like comic books can do things movies can't, so concessions have to be made to adapt to film.

I don't want to see the video game on screen. I want to see the story from that video game but still its own thing. That's why in principle Watchmen failed. It utilized too heavily on what makes comic books great instead of trying to be a movie.

That's where Uncharted should work, if they get the proper talent involved. It is basically just Indiana Jones Meets National Treasure. There is no specific story that needs to be followed. If you get a good Drake and a good Sully and a good Elena, the hardest part is already done.

 

[Doctor Jones]

I've never played the game (don't own Playstation consoles) but I always assumed there was a main story to Uncharted? Something that can be adapted to a film or can an Uncharted film survive as an original story?

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

I've never played the game (don't own Playstation consoles) but I always assumed there was a main story to Uncharted? Something that can be adapted to a film or can an Uncharted film survive as an original story?

It is kind of like Indiana Jones where each game features the heroes going after some different historical or mythical treasure/object/location. The villains are different in each one and the stories are basically standalone. The only things that carry over are the main character and some of his supporting cast. It is very cinema friendly.

 

[MadVillainy]

Games are harder to follow though script wise. With Bioshock, sure there's a central story, but you're an unnamed isolated shooter who goes through hallways killing things that pop out at you. You have to make changes there to make an actual narrative. Bioshock Infinite is more friendly in that department however.

Comic books one can pull from many sources and there's more flexibility with that. Here it's much more distinctly told with one sole source. The trouble with video games is that they already have one story and how much do you stay true to it because that story greatly benefits the format of video games. Video games, like comic books can do things movies can't, so concessions have to be made to adapt to film.

I don't want to see the video game on screen. I want to see the story from that video game but still its own thing. That's why in principle Watchmen failed. It utilized too heavily on what makes comic books great instead of trying to be a movie.

I just want to see a faithful adaptation. You can follow the story of something and still make the film stand well on it's own. Theyve done it for years.
And I guess we'll just agree to disagree because I thought Watchmen was fine. I think it stood on it's own too.

I dont get why if I go to see something why would I not want to see that thing on the screen. I wanna see the moments I love from the game up there on the screen. If youre not doing that what's the point of adapting something? Just make something else. Video game movies shoudnt be compared to superhero movies where they have a lot of history and multiple storylines.
Treat them similar to those one shot/graphic novels/regular novels.

Something like Need for Speed (s***y movie) can draw from many source materials because none of the games had that strong of a story to begin with.

The biggest and easiest pitfall to avoid is not remaining faithful to the game. Keep it simple. Damn near every video game movie has gotten the complaint that it's not faithful to the source material. You can be faithful and still make a movie that can stand on it's own. If the video game follows a direct story, why not follow it?

But youre right on the point of certain video games being harder to adapt.
Bioshock and Halo are two projects that I think could be really good but would need major retooling of the main characters.
Uncharted is already ready to go. Obviously you have to change stuff around but it could be fine.

Whoever is trying to get whatever game made make sure it's one with cinematic potential and that it would not require significant changes to the plot, character, setting, etc.

EDIT: I can also do without movie prequels to the games/

 

[jmc]

Maybe it's just a case of them medium being difficult to be faithful too. I just think that after 20+ years of trying it might be time to say that video games might be too difficult or cumbersome a medium to adapt into film. It's no better off today than it was when they made Super Mario Bros. At some point we've all gotta step back and say that it might just be too hard to do justice to, and if that's the case then perhaps the storytelling is best left to the original medium.

 

[MadVillainy]

nah I dont think it has anything to do with the medium at all.

Sure theyve tried for 20 years, but theyve havent been trying hard. Most of the video game movies as I said earlier either aren't faithful or they feature a crappy director

Im skimming through this list, and the only one of these live action movies made by someone that I would even call a decent director is Mike Newell who directed Prince of Persia as well as Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire and Donnie Brasco.

The medium is fine. Just get good talent, pick the right games, and someone who respects the source material.

 

[StevieNicks1988]

This is what I fully expect;

Main plot of the film is modern day Templars kidnapping and abducting a fairly clueless modern day Assassin and introduce him to the Animus to relive an ancestor Assassin of his in the time period of (enter interesting time period here) to locate an Apple of Eden. Film will feature a stationary Animus as well as a mobile one in the latter half of the film for when they go on the hunt in (enter interesting location in modern day setting here) so that we can get a good 3 or 4 trips into the Animus to experience the beautiful and interesting past life of an Assassin in (enter above interesting time period here). Once the location of the Apple is found in the Animus, the Templars go on the hunt in the modern day setting and attempt to assassinate the main character to cover their tracks. Main character escapes thanks to the help of a band of other Assassins who've come to the rescue and they attempt to beat the Templars to the Apple. Having received a modern day hidden blade and deciding to join his Brothers, main character uses the Assassin ways of battle learned from the trips into the Animus to defeat the Templars and protect the Apple of Eden. Enter mysterious Templar figure who babbles something in a dark room hinting at sequel.

I bet I'm close. t:

 

[Octoberist]

The problem with video game adaptations in general is the sheer fact that it's a vicarious medium. The studio heads cannot rely on their assistant to give them notes on the gameplay or plot; they have to play the games themselves. That's the inherent nature of video games, and there's no way around it. and some titles can take 50 plus hours. Something that studio execs may not want to embark on. I can't see Ari Arad, who is producing Metal Gear Solid (sadly) playing a game like Destiny or Dragon Age for example.

So there's a misunderstanding of games with the studios because most are business people who don't play video games.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

The thing that annoys me is when the filmmaker claims to love the videogame but you watch the film and know that they obviously didn't get it or are ****ing liars. I mean The Mist was a way better Silent Hill movie than that poor ****ing Silent Hill movie in 2006.

I'm sorry I'm a Silent Hill fan girl so all of my complaining about videogame adaptions always come back to that one.

 

[Octoberist]

I can see them trying to remake Silent Hill one of these days. Though that Silent Hill sequel made the first one look like a masterpiece.

 

[MadVillainy]

The problem with video game adaptations in general is the sheer fact that it's a vicarious medium. The studio heads cannot rely on their assistant to give them notes on the gameplay or plot; they have to play the games themselves. That's the inherent nature of video games, and there's no way around it. and some titles can take 50 plus hours. Something that studio execs may not want to embark on. I can't see Ari Arad, who is producing Metal Gear Solid (sadly) playing a game like Destiny or Dragon Age for example.

So there's a misunderstanding of games with the studios because most are business people who don't play video games.

Why could a studio head not rely on an assistant to give them notes on the plot or gameplay? Not every studio head reads a novel or comic before the movie adaptation. I bet a lot of them don't even read scripts.

Yes, video games are a different medium and special because they are more interactive than comics, books, etc. That's why i think games like Mass Effect or the GTA games, up to GTA V (not that I want that), would make crappy games because you lose something that makes those games special, which is choice and freedom. Even a Bioshock movie would lose a bit of that.

But linear games where, for the most part, youre on a set path can be treated like youre average novels or comic books.

You don't have to play the games in order to enjoy or understand the potential movie. T I never played Bioshock or The Last of Us...well actually I played for each for about 10 minutes got scared like a child is afraid of the dark and never played the games again. But I read the story on each game and I think each would make a good movie. I'd watch them and Im not even a fan of horror like that.
I think the only people who should play the games are the directors, screenwriters, and probably the actors.

It's so easy to give notes on these games.
-Gears of War: A group of human soldiers fight an underground-alien monster threat. Hard R. Lots of gun play and explosions. Really could draw in the male crowd.
-The Last of Us: A post apocalyptic story where a man has to lead a girl to another location in hopes of finding a cure for a virus. Post apocalypse stories are popular now and zombies are too. The story is very dramatic, yet tense.
-Metroid: Sci fi movie. A female bounty hunter is sent in by a galactic government in order to infiltrate and destroy a group that is threatening the galaxy. Strong female lead. PG13. Lot of sci fi action

I think some people on here are making it a lot more harder than it should be. So are the filmmakers.

I think the biggest problem is that so many of the good potential properties will need to be big budget and R rated to remain faithful. Non R rated comedies don't make that much money anymore.

The thing that annoys me is when the filmmaker claims to love the videogame but you watch the film and know that they obviously didn't get it or are ****ing liars. I mean The Mist was a way better Silent Hill movie than that poor ****ing Silent Hill movie in 2006.

I'm sorry I'm a Silent Hill fan girl so all of my complaining about videogame adaptions always come back to that one.

This.

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

The problem with video game adaptations in general is the sheer fact that it's a vicarious medium. The studio heads cannot rely on their assistant to give them notes on the gameplay or plot; they have to play the games themselves. That's the inherent nature of video games, and there's no way around it. and some titles can take 50 plus hours. Something that studio execs may not want to embark on. I can't see Ari Arad, who is producing Metal Gear Solid (sadly) playing a game like Destiny or Dragon Age for example.

So there's a misunderstanding of games with the studios because most are business people who don't play video games.

For some games like Uncharted they wouldn't even really need to play it. Just watch some Youtube videos.

 

[Octoberist]

That might be the exception because it's pretty much Indiana Jones. It's more straight forward than Metal Gear Solid or whatever.

 

[flickchick85]

For some games like Uncharted they wouldn't even really need to play it. Just watch some Youtube videos.

LOL, I don't have a PS3 or any system they were available on, so this is exactly what I did with Uncharted. And not gonna lie, just watching them, I found them more enjoyable than Indiana Jones 4.

Which is why I feel like the movie has the potential to either be the first genuinely good video game adaptation OR feel completely redundant.

 

[MadVillainy]

That might be the exception because it's pretty much Indiana Jones. It's more straight forward than Metal Gear Solid or whatever.

There are a bunch of games that wouldnt require you to play it in order to understand the game. As I said above the only thing that matters is if the director and screenwriter play, or watch, the video game

 

[Octoberist]

Why could a studio head not rely on an assistant to give them notes on the plot or gameplay? Not every studio head reads a novel or comic before the movie adaptation. I bet a lot of them don't even read scripts.

Yes, video games are a different medium and special because they are more interactive than comics, books, etc. That's why i think games like Mass Effect or the GTA games, up to GTA V (not that I want that), would make crappy games because you lose something that makes those games special, which is choice and freedom. Even a Bioshock movie would lose a bit of that.

But linear games where, for the most part, youre on a set path can be treated like youre average novels or comic books.

You don't have to play the games in order to enjoy or understand the potential movie. T I never played Bioshock or The Last of Us...well actually I played for each for about 10 minutes got scared like a child is afraid of the dark and never played the games again. But I read the story on each game and I think each would make a good movie. I'd watch them and Im not even a fan of horror like that.
I think the only people who should play the games are the directors, screenwriters, and probably the actors.

It's so easy to give notes on these games.
-Gears of War: A group of human soldiers fight an underground-alien monster threat. Hard R. Lots of gun play and explosions.
-The Last of Us: A post apocalyptic story where a man has to lead a girl to another location in hopes of finding a cure for a virus. Post apocalypse stories are popular now and zombies are too. The story is very dramatic, yet tense.


I think some people on here are making it a lot more harder than it should be. So are the filmmakers.

I think the biggest problem is that so many of the good potential properties will need to be big budget and R rated to remain faithful. Non R rated comedies don't make that much money anymore.

You're talking about Hollywood, one of the most stubborn and backwards industry out there. Try to explain Metal Gear to an exec, and he'll ignore your notes, and go "What if Snake...had two eyepatches".

Then explain why there's no movement on video game movies then? We've been waiting for that a similar movement that pushed the comic book genre forward but it hasn't happened. Why?

The other obvious thing is that you got hacks being involved with these game adaptations, like Paul WS Anderson. I know that his schlocky Resident Evil movies have a fanbase, but when that's the status quo and it's not being challenged, then it'll remain stagnant. Ari Arad doesn't totally help. I don't know if he's this moron that people are trying to make him out to be but he's not the midas touch either. Not anymore.

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

Yeah, the problem is the lack of talent. We get bad video game movies because bad directors are the ones who make them. A Paul WS Anderson or Uwe Boll movie sucks? Not exactly a shock.