5 Video Games that Hollywood Needs to Adapt
Hollywood loves a good adaptation. Their classics are littered with films that took inspiration from other work, but there are two mediums that perpetually confuzzle the Hollywood system; Anime and video games. These mediums are popular enough that Hollywood has been drooling for their demographic markets for years, and yet amidst all their hard work in trying to adapt a solid adaptation, it has proven them year after year that they're hard to make and please the fans.
Although, after last year's A Minecraft Movie it seems video games are back on the menu with this year seeing Iron Lung, Mortal Kombat II, Return to Silent Hill, Exit 8, and Street Fighter. So, to celebrate the next era in video game adaptations here are five video games that could be adapted and make a butt-load of money.
5. Grip Shift
Grip Shift is a racing game where the tracks are laid out in a space unobstructed by land. The tracks are wild, in the sky, and time-related. In comparison, Grip Shift should be relatively simple compared to another racing movie, a good anime adaptation, that Hollywood did years ago; Speed Racer. Both are kinetic and offer a unique setting that'll thrive on the big screen making Speed Racer, and potentially Grip Shift, an outlier and gem in the racing genre.
4. Spectrobes
Spectrobes is an interesting niche in the monster-collecting genre. In the game, you're a young Planetary Patrol Officer whose goal is to unearth fossils, revive them, and then do battle with alien goop. The monsters you revive can evolve and you can also equip armor onto them. Unfortunately, the series died after three games and seems to have left the public consciousness. While the game mechanics may have been simple the concept is still stellar and this could be another How to Train Your Dragon if done right. Or, a cheaper alternative to the Pokemon license. Both properties have solid source material, but if done in an animated movie they could be elevated and spurn new life. Plus, Disney already owns this game. C'mon, corporate overlord, use some of this IP!
3. Th3 Plan
Who doesn't love a good con-revenge story? Th3 Plan is a unique game that takes you on heists while trying to ferret out which one of your teammates was a traitor to you, and then enacting revenge. What makes this premise unique is that in the game you take control of three characters simultaneously. The screen is split three ways and you're constantly switching between characters to keep your cover and finish the mission. Heists are an easy sell in Hollywood and if you make a good one it'll thrive for years. Plus, the heist gimmick is already implemented into the premise; the split-screen. Imagine somebody like Guy Ritchie adapting this game. It could bring back his classic touches from Snatch with his modern masterworks like Wrath of Man. With a great editor, and a filmmaker with energy, this adaptation could be simple, cheap, and a solid unique flick in a genre that people love.
2. Klonoa
Klonoa is a fun, family friendly game that could be really appealing to an animated audience. With fun character designs and an unlimited dream world, the world alone could set off animators imaginations. And, there was a brief window of hope a few years ago where this was announced for an animated movie, but sadly that project was canceled. While an animated TV series would be a better medium for this adaptation just having one solid movie would satisfy long term fans and hopefully get new ones.
- inFamous
inFamous is a PlayStation staple. The plot has high stakes, it takes place in easily accessible filming locations, and the powers are simple enough that it could be cheaper than many live action blockbusters these days. The basic plot boils down to a man who does parkour, jumping and climbing across a city, trying to take down enemies and cults with his new powers. Though Cole, the main character, does have electric and other powers, he won't be using them in a way that would create a CG fest like other blockbusters. The spectacle can be grand and tame so that the story and characters have room to shine as well. While this has the potential to be the most expensive adaptation on this list it could also prove to be the next blockbuster franchise. Thinking about someone like Jaume Collet-Serra giving an adaptation like this could revolutionize how film pundits look at video game adaptations moving forward.
