Metal Gear Solid movie confirmed definitively
by Christopher Grant 
{ May 15th 2006 at 7:27PM }
Metal Gear Solid creator, Hideo Kojima, has already ruled out Uwe Boll ("it's impossible") as a directorial candidate of a possible cinematic adaptation of the celebrated series, without confirming that such a project was even under way ... until now, that is. Gamespot reports that the Kojima Productions spoof of the E3 Show Daily, dubbed "Show Maybe," teases, "In a late-breaking surprise announcement, director Hideo Kojima revealed that his most famous creation -- Metal Gear Solid -- is getting the live-action treatment."
On the back page Kojima writes, "I have received many offers to adapt Metal Gear Solid. It has taken a long time, but we have finally settled on an arrangement ... False facts aside, a movie project is underway. I have finalized a Class-A contract with a party in Hollywood." Now that the cat's out of the bag, expect periodic updates leading up to the 2007 release of Metal Gear Solid 4. Who's directing? Whose starring? For once, fans can't complain about lengthy cut scenes!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
StefanW @ May 15th 2006 7:34PM
This movie will be great, expect nothing but perfection from Mr. Kojima.
Bushi @ May 15th 2006 7:34PM
Starring Jean Claude Van Dam!
Justin Brogan @ May 15th 2006 7:36PM
Aw, I was hoping for Ryuhei Kitamura to be directing the Metal Gear movie. DAMN YOU KOJIMA!
C. Grant @ May 15th 2006 7:38PM
Yeah, I guess Ryuhei Kitamura wouldn't count as a class-A Hollywood type... maybe if we're lucky they'll get Michael Bay or Brett Ratner though!
... just kidding! ;)
Tim @ May 15th 2006 7:44PM
George Clooney for Snake and Master Chief. I demand he take over the world.
Mark @ May 15th 2006 7:45PM
Kojima defintely needs to be heavily involved with this film, not just selling the rights. I also demand either hayter or russell to star! I wonder when it will be set...
James James @ May 15th 2006 7:46PM
David Hayter for Snake...
It wouldnt be MGS without him.
EzPz @ May 15th 2006 7:48PM
This could be cool and all, but with the insane amount of backstory how can Kojima make it appeal (and make sense) to all of the people out there who haven't played every MGS game? Hopefully it doesn't get too watered down, but at the same time a complex story could just be too much for the general audience because of all the back knowledge required.
Babylonian @ May 15th 2006 8:02PM
Isn't this old news? I remember some time after the Chan-Wook Park rumor was diffused, they announced that they were making an English, Hollywood MGS movie. That's what I've been telling people for weeks.
MetaHuman @ May 15th 2006 8:05PM
Cool. I don't see how a movie would be able to make a name for itself because the games are already so cinematic, but with Kojima keeping an eye on, here's hoping for a good movie.
Apparently Nintendo's Animation Studio is preparing an ANIMAL CROSSING movie. I don't know if it's anime, or another form of animation from Japan though.
http://ds.ign.com/articles/708/708595p1.html
beans @ May 15th 2006 8:11PM
clooney for snake, yeah right...hayter, he's got the voice but he's no snake and russell is too old and fat. There's only two people that have the look, one more so than the other, and that's eric bana and tom cruise. I'm leaning towards eric bana
Phil @ May 15th 2006 8:24PM
Hugh Jackman for Snake.
Icupnimpn2 @ May 15th 2006 8:30PM
By golly, I think Hugh Jackman could pull it off. Good call. I can't think of anyone else.
Mikey @ May 15th 2006 8:32PM
After SIient Hill.. I'm really scared of this movie dissipointing me hard. Not starting with Snake Eater is their first mistake. You have to think about your audience that hasn't played MGS. Do you really want to just throw them into this crazy world? Snake Eater at least eases you in with real history. Also, there is just too much backstory to explain in the original MGS to fit into one movie.
Also, I think it is silly to fantasize about a cast. Even if they could afford stars I wouldn't want them. I don't want to see Jude Law dressed up as Ocelot. I want the audience to recognize the person on screen as only Ocelot.
James @ May 15th 2006 8:45PM
So long as this remains a complimentary movie instead of a straight coversion to the screen, it'll be fine. A few years back Hideo said that's what he wanted-- something that didn't overshadow or simply try to redo the game in movie form. So as long as Hideo makes sure that the movie doesn't screw with the game's integrity, it'll be fine.
James @ May 15th 2006 8:46PM
...So is the guy who will play Solid Snake going to get two pay checks for this one?
David @ May 15th 2006 8:50PM
I don't remember who said it the first time, but they should pull a Silent Hill on this movie. That is, don't market it as a movie based on the critically aclaimed game so and so, but just let people see the previews and be wow'ed and want to see the movie for what it is. More then a few people who went to see silent hill, and it did pretty well for its opening weekend despite _Horible_ reviews, didn't even know it was based on a game, they just saw the trailers and loved the atmosphere, I hope kojima can do the same but with better actors.
long tran @ May 15th 2006 8:52PM
Hugh Jackman all the way!
selfconshus @ May 15th 2006 10:03PM
When I read this first read this post, two things came to mind. 1.Why do we need a MGS movie? The game is already as cinematic as a game can be. 2.This won't be good, bottom line. If you ask me, a few things in the game (mostly dialogue)come off kind of corny or hokey at times as is, but I overlook them because I realize I'm playing a game and not watching a film. As great as the series is, I just don't think there's a need for a movie. Games should stay games.
5pam8l07 @ May 15th 2006 10:07PM
Josh Holloway from Lost is the perfect snake.
Done
-Spamalot
www.squatsquat.com
JJ @ May 16th 2006 4:15AM
Well i actually have higher expectations for this movie than the Halo movie to be honest, not saying either one will be bad... it just seems to me MGS lends itself to a movie format better than Halo...
But damnned if i dont hope they're BOTH good... but i agree it shouldnt play up the fact that its based on a video game, it should just market itself as a good espionage movie, etc.
alex @ May 16th 2006 6:18AM
Check out Eric Bana in Black Hawk down...he looks identical to Snake.
It's kind of creepy actually, and he's a good actor anyway.
kole @ May 16th 2006 8:55AM
I agree with #6, it'll have to be David Hayter. Plus Clooney is too old.
adeel @ May 16th 2006 9:11AM
"cram in all that mgs backstory"
cmon now, why would kojima even try to cram in all that story? he know people are gonna come to see it because they love mgs andfurthermore, those that dont know mgs will know by the time its released. as for the story, it wont be based on any current mgs story. i predict a completely new story that can actually fit into 2 hours or less. I wont expect this movie to be shorter than an hour and a half, infact ill be dissapointed if it is any less.
Kojima loves to direct in the games, and i see the trend following on in the movie. People are worried that he will take a back seat.. hell no. anyone recall mgs4 trailers where he said he would take a back seat? did he? NO! he came back in a big way, released a bad azz trailer and confirmed he would be back...
get ready for mgs..
Austin @ May 16th 2006 9:17AM
I hate to burst every ones bubble, but it was not a direct quote from Kojima that said it would be live action. With the cinema of the game at the level it is, it could just as well be a CG movie. But if anyone was there for the announcement tell me differently.
ocelotPSP @ May 16th 2006 9:47AM
Eric Bana or Hugh Jackman for Snake!
I wonder how they will do CODEC calls...
Keitaro @ May 16th 2006 11:10AM
Charlie Sheen from Platoon for Snake! Hahaha...
Matt @ May 16th 2006 12:05PM
This probably won't happen, but it really seems like Tarantino would be a good choice, at least for the dialogue parts. For the action parts you might want more of a Clancy Movie director though.
Ramza24 @ May 16th 2006 3:35PM
Yeah Bana for Snake, Nolan directs. Hmm, who should play Revolver?
J @ May 17th 2006 1:05PM
I think they should go with an unknown to play Snake in the movie, much as I think Bana or Jackman could do the job, I just couldn't help but look at either of them and see the other characters they've played. As for directors who could do the source material justice? Gotta be Bryan Singer or Christopher Nolan.. As for David Hayter... well, he could dub the lead actor!, or get involved with the screenplay... he's not half bad at that writing stuff
Danny @ May 18th 2006 1:58PM
I agree with #20. Josh Holloway or Sawyer from Lost is SNAKE all the way.. I began noticing this resemblance early into watching this awesome show, and I even did a picture comparison of a pic of Josh on IMDB and a pic of Big Boss in snake eater... The resemblance is uncanny.. He even has the snake like attitude (minus the slight texan accent), if no big time producers can see this, they are blind. Josh as Snake and Paul Greengrass (Bourne Supremacy, United93) as director = awesome film. They should start with the first outer heaven incident from the first metal gear game. That way theres alot of room for creativity without clashing with that of the Hideo's in the solid series.. they should wait a few years to reach that point. Then maybe track back with a snake eater adaptation sort of like star wars.
And that would be the perfect Metal Gear movie scenario. My life would be fulfilled.
alex @ May 20th 2006 4:58AM
ye but you are all here disscussing who would play who but what you people don't get is that it will probably be cgi anyway and the original cast will do the voice overs because i seriously doubt that they wil be able to actually make a full scale working metal gear rex, ray or the shagohod it will probably be the same techniques as the cutscenes in the ps2 versions of the game.
Dale @ May 23rd 2006 6:20PM
I disagree with #31. What do you mena they will never be able to "actually make a full scale working metal gear rex, ray or the shagohod". They are doing so much with CGI these days. THey are even making a whole friggin Transformers live-action movie. Why not this one?
warrior @ May 23rd 2006 8:29PM
Christian Bale would be perfect for Snake he showed the darkness and will and determination in batman begins ;which is everything snake is peter jackson to direct huge gamer
Danny @ May 25th 2006 9:39PM
i was number 31.. think u meant to say u disagreed with number 32.
A49ER08 @ May 26th 2006 1:16AM
man, I gotta say the Eric Bana ordeal works great.
I just hope the movie is the way it is when you played the game
that one feeling you got when you played through it
wow.
DYM @ May 29th 2006 11:58AM
Kitamura is good, but I dont think he is the best director under pressure. Kinda like Chappelle, when nothing is expected he can produce a classic out of no where, but when given millions of dollars with a franchise resting on his shoulders and a short amount of time to do it, like the latest Godzilla movie, he simply caves.
Well if they give him enough time to direct him hed be good for it. Anyway Im so used to hayter voicing snake. I hope its on MGS 1 or MGS 3, but maybe theyll do the original famicon Metal Gear so they can take more liberty from the cut scenes. Plus less ppl are familiar with the story.
Shinto @ May 29th 2006 1:49PM
http://www.imdb.com/gallery/granitz/3535/Events/3535/SeanBean_Pimen_5917986_400.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Bean,%20Sean
Sean Bean IS Snake (Big Boss)he looks just like him! Though he did the voice for Major Zero in MGS3 oddly enough.
David @ May 30th 2006 1:59PM
I nominate Kiefer Sutherland for Solid Snake
Joe @ Jun 1st 2006 1:36AM
Kojima himself has mentioned that he'd like to see Viggo Morteson as Snake in a recent magazine article. I can't remember if it was in Game Informer or PSM though.
Aaron @ Jun 6th 2006 9:30PM
I said Viggo Mortensen ages ago, because he has the look. Thing is no one can imitate Snakes voice but David Hayter. Hugh Jackman seems like a decent candidate, but I think I learn more towards Eric Bana at the moment. I dunno, and I dont mind to be honest as long as they give a convincing performance and as long as Tom Cruise isnt Snake. I can't stand that bloke...
Gonzo @ Jun 12th 2006 3:47AM
remember that movie behind enemy lines i think they guy who directed that movie would do metal ger some justice alrigh i remember JOhn Moore
Lady Ocelot @ Jun 13th 2006 1:05AM
Please, please, please, don't let them screw up on the casting for Revolver. Let them pick someone who will be able to best portray my beloved gunslinger
michaelcallinan @ Jun 17th 2006 10:04PM
With all of the potential money to be made with a movie like Metal Gear. WHAT THE HELL IS THE HOLD UP!
lETS GO ALREADY!!!!!!
HOW ABOUT THESE PEOPLE FOR ACTORS IN THE MOVIE:
SOLID SNAKE: SLYVESTER STALLONE
LIQUID SNAKE: CHUCK NORRIS
MERYL: SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR
Solid Snake @ Jun 24th 2006 10:23AM
Kiefer Sutherland starring in 24
End of Story.....
He IS THE BEST!!!!!!!
Ice @ Jun 26th 2006 6:56AM
38, the voice of Major Zero was Jim/James Piddock.
Prestan Marquis @ Jun 29th 2006 7:49PM
I think that Christian Bale would be the perfect Solid Snake. He showed that he could play a decent Batman, but if you gave him a chance I think he could do a very good job. Also they should have Hideo Kojima direct and produce the money.
Tim @ Jul 3rd 2006 3:43AM
I agree, they should just try to move forward with the making of Metal Gear Solid. I think they should start with Snake Eater and then go into Metal Gear Solid 1. For snake I say either David Hayter bulks up a bit, grows facial hair and the head hair for this. If not hayter then Eric Bana. They better not use Chuck Norris in any of this! Like in a previous post I too am curious how they will pull off the radio or Codec talking.
rogue @ Jul 3rd 2006 12:36PM
If you're aiming for a metal gear solid snake than actor Steve Burton fits the part perfectly, watch him on soap opera General Hospital or look him up and see for yourself, but if you're going for a metal geat solid sons of liberty snake Erik Bana in black hawk down and munich would be great.There a gap in the age difference between my pick of snakes.I love snake and i hope they hit his character right on.
rogue @ Jul 3rd 2006 12:39PM
I think a great pick for revolver ocelot is actor Sam Elliot, or Daniel Day lewis again it just depend on the age you're looking to start off with.