MGS movie producer targets possible writer/director

by Griffin McElroy { Mar 16th 2008 at 1:05PM }

Film adaptations of video games are fickle mistresses. You don't need us to tell you that most of the ones that make it into theatres are horrid, while the ones with some potential usually get canned before seeing the light of day. Most of us would probably fit the Metal Gear Solid movie into that latter category -- after all, it's been nearly two years since the initial announcement of the film, and details have been sparse at best. That is, until a recent red carpet interview with the film's producer, Michael De Luca, dropped a Metal Gear REX-sized bomb on the entertainment industry.

Okay, we're exaggerating bit -- all he did was state his interest in getting Kurt Wimmer to write and possibly direct the film. Wimmer's primary writing/directing credit is the 2002 quazi-cult classic "Equilibrium", whose 35% aggregate rating on Rotten Tomatoes doesn't exactly fill us with confidence -- unless compared to the works of a particularly infamous game-to-movie adapter, whose 4% career average reminds us that Columbia Pictures could do much, much worse.

Tags: film, kojima, kurtwimmer, metalgear, metalgearsolid, metalgearsolidmovie, mgs, michaeldeluca, movie

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Huey2k2 @ Mar 16th 2008 1:13PM

I try not to get excited for video game movies anymore. There has yet to be a single good video game movie, or at least if there was one I haven't heard of it.

I guess as long as they don't pick Uwe Boll to direct they'll be taking a step in the right direction though.

Cesaria @ Mar 16th 2008 1:27PM

I take it you've never seen/heard of the Mario Bros. movie.

Huey2k2 @ Mar 16th 2008 1:36PM

I'd put the Mario Bro's movie more into the category of "So bad it's awesome" then actually being a genuinely good movie.

The thing about the Mario Bro's movie is it really had very little to do with the games in the first place. The only real redeeming thing about it was it had John Leguizamo, and he's probably one of the most underrated actors ever IMO.

But as I said, I cannot think of a single genuinely good video game movie, and hopefully one day that trend will change, either that or we just need to stop making video game movies in general, because it makes me sad to see video games being butchered like this.

Nigeria: Cody ChesnuTT Defense Force @ Mar 16th 2008 1:42PM

I remember the Pokemon film being awesome. At the cinema I watched it at you got the chance to win a Mew. I didn't win though. I don't think anybody won. we all lost.

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Mar 16th 2008 2:35PM

Mortal Kombat....

best game movie ever. I still love watching it. "This is where you fall down."

Mr.ESC @ Mar 16th 2008 3:24PM

I totally agree with Fidlious Mortal Kombat was an awesome movie probably the exception to the rule.

Too bad MK second movie sucked.

Just to start an argument was Doom a good movie? In my opinion it sucked but thinking about it other than the Final screen Doom never had a story unless you count Doom 3 or repercusions of evil.

"John you are the demons!!"

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Mar 16th 2008 4:05PM

I think Mortal Kombat did such a good job because MK took the source material, asked what kind of game this is, and based the entire thing around that.

"Mortal men and women defending your world, Mortal Kombat."

Problem with so many of these game to movie conversions often revolves around taking the source material and trying to change it, then removing the pacing or style of the game.

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Mar 16th 2008 1:14PM

35%>4%

Nuff said.

Roto13 @ Mar 16th 2008 1:21PM

At least Metal Gear Solid is practically a movie to begin with.

Roto13 @ Mar 16th 2008 1:22PM

Oh my god, I share a birthday with Uwe Boll. ;-;

Mr.ESC @ Mar 16th 2008 3:25PM

You know what it must be done.Kill Uwe Boll,there can only be ONE!

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Mar 16th 2008 6:24PM

I wonder if the movie "Kill Boll" would be made of win or AIDS.

superberg @ Mar 16th 2008 1:22PM

While I would hardly call Equilibrium a masterpiece of modern literature, it is a fun movie. Take a bit of Fahrenheit 451, toss it in a bag with 1984, shake vigorously, then jack it into the Matrix for some crazy fight scenes.

It's worth watching at least once.

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Mar 16th 2008 2:37PM

People also forget Rotten Tomatoes is overrun by movie snobs who have long ago forgotten the feeling of just sitting back and enjoying a film.

Nox @ Mar 16th 2008 2:59PM

Agree, Equilibrium was quite fun to watch and worth seeing.

Huey2k2 @ Mar 16th 2008 3:29PM

Funny, some might say the same kind of thing about Joystiq being filled with video game snobs.

Movies and video games are all subjective, people get too worked up over reviews, remember, reviews are just opinions and should be taken with a grain of salt.

The trick is to find a reviewer that shares the same kind of interests as you and whos opinion you agree with.

Sir Fidlious Wong (Zeon Defense Force) @ Mar 16th 2008 4:07PM

Actually, if a review is written well enough, you could even come away with a decent idea on a game from a bad review.

You don't have to agree with the reviewer... if they were doing their job right you'd have your information whether they liked it or not.

Batzarro @ Mar 16th 2008 1:27PM

As Brad Bird said: "Movies don't have people sneaking around them anymore". All the more reason to make it, I guess...

!

Nigeria: Cody ChesnuTT Defense Force @ Mar 16th 2008 1:33PM

"4% career average"

There's still time to improve, Uwe. You still have Far Cry.

ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Mar 16th 2008 6:24PM

No.

Intentless @ Mar 16th 2008 9:28PM

He doesn't still have far cry... did you see the previews... Most of his other movies had at least decent previews... FarCry and Postal both just seem like complete jokes....

ymmv @ Mar 16th 2008 1:45PM

Isn't it interesting how Griffin McElroy dropped a bad Metacritic rating for Equilibrium in this article, but conveniently forgot to mention the terrific IMDB rating (7.8) the movie currently has?

Batzarro @ Mar 16th 2008 1:51PM

Federal law dictates game journalists cannot express confidence in games-to-film projects. A movie centric blog might cite Prince of Persia filming in Morocco and that''s it, but here we get that AND a list of abyssmal Uwe Boll movies. You, know, to remind you all hope is lost.

Kujel @ Mar 16th 2008 2:03PM

Now as stated before we all know game to film doesn't really work (or the other way really), but 90 minutes of hearing "SNAKE" yelled would be worse then running your fingers across a chock board.

j. howlett @ Mar 16th 2008 2:22PM

well maybe your "chalk" full of wrong

Maverick Saturn @ Mar 16th 2008 2:18PM

Let me write it! The amount of potential this game has to be a movie is overwhelming :O

Ranus Studios @ Mar 16th 2008 2:28PM

I'm normally very cynical about movies, but Equilibrium is much better than a 35. I mean, come on; everything Christian Bale touches is gold (parts of Reign of Fire notwithstanding.) And I thought it was good before I realized that Christian Bale is some sort of deity.

Ranus Studios @ Mar 16th 2008 2:29PM

Ultraviolet, however, was not for me.

Allister Howe @ Mar 16th 2008 2:39PM

Ick. Equilibrium was super terrible. Kurt Wimmer just tried to throw as much symbolism and crap into the movie without even trying to figure out what it meant, so the whole thing was a giant mess of visuals that were not consistent.

Plus there was tons of plot holes. For example, if there was supposed to be no emotions, and a huge part of the plot revolved around taking pills to repress your emotions, why was Taye Diggs laughing and joking and mugging for the camera the entire film??

superberg @ Mar 16th 2008 2:44PM

The idea was not "no emotion," but removing the highs and lows of emotion, hence the name. They say it in the opening sequence.

Furthermore, there are many people in the movie who are obviously NOT taking the medicine, Taye and that obnoxious Big Brother guy among them.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Mar 16th 2008 3:41PM

Fuck you man. Gunkata. That's all I have to say.

Mr Khan @ Mar 16th 2008 2:47PM

I'd like to see a movie done entirely in codec conversations

But seriously, Kojima himself could easily adapt the game-to-movie. He's one of the more cinematic-focused game producers out there (aside from whoever runs Square Enix these days), and he just seems to have a good grasp on the concept of an action plot

Also; Suda 51 was listed under "Special Thanks" on Brawl. This is awesome.

Mr.ESC @ Mar 16th 2008 3:28PM

"Also; Suda 51 was listed under "Special Thanks" on Brawl. This is awesome".

Wut? I have to pay attention to the credits, I wonder if the guy from No more heroes is a secret Assist Trophy.

No more heroes is awesome.

Maverick Saturn @ Mar 17th 2008 7:48AM

That would suck?

colinbell @ Mar 16th 2008 2:53PM

I want a Thief / Deus Ex movie. The two most cinema-worthy games I ever played (and probably also the two best games).

phil @ Mar 16th 2008 2:57PM

this has tragedy written all over... anyway, does anybody see the word "ico" at the bottom of the bottom of the second news page? yeah joystiq, ICO all the way, wowhoot!

ApolloIV @ Mar 16th 2008 3:08PM

Instawatch if snake hides in a cardboard box.

Dahk @ Mar 16th 2008 3:22PM

Lol you guys should check out the fan-movie. It's actually FRICKIN' SICK (imo). They're english is a little bad, but good enough. They're environments and stuff are pretty intense though.

http://www.mgs-philanthropy.net/

Only the trailers been released, which was like... a year ago, but they say its still on track for release this June. I'm guessing they're releasing when MGS4 comes out.

Kanadwen @ Mar 16th 2008 3:29PM

Are you kidding? Equilibrium is one of my favorite movies, I can only hope he writes and directs the MGS film!

bluesmantlu @ Mar 16th 2008 4:14PM

Interestingly enough, the MGS movie is said to have more actual gameplay sequences than the games themselves...

Deck @ Mar 16th 2008 4:19PM

It has potential.

As for a good game to movie... I actually quite liked Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. Though it was animated...still a movie nonetheless.

Frostfell @ Mar 16th 2008 4:44PM

Equilibrium may not be critically well received, but it is an excellent movie.

Onyx635 @ Mar 16th 2008 4:43PM

Equilibrium is actually a really good film if anyone here has'nt seen it. Interesting choice...

Miz @ Mar 16th 2008 5:25PM

David Hayer's a screenwriter, get him to write it. And, of course, perform. And hey, while we're at it, let him direct too!

EcnobA @ Mar 16th 2008 5:35PM

i just want to know...
who needs a movie when you have the 3+ hours of cut scene in the games that were produced and directed by the very best hideo and company?
plus if you want to see some a good movie about this game just go to

http://www.mgs-philanthropy.net/index.html

which not the crap that hollywood will make just to cash on the name...

Weclock @ Mar 16th 2008 5:39PM

Are you crazy? Equilibrium was awesome!

"everything Christian Bale touches is gold"
I only wish Christian Bale would touch me...

Balius @ Mar 16th 2008 6:58PM

Giant robots, super-soldier one man armies, explosions galore, stealth suit, and naked cartwheels and corpse humping in elevators. This movie conversion is made of win.

QMav @ Mar 16th 2008 10:19PM

Personally, I think HIDEO KOJIMA, or DAVID HAYTER should direct this, since A. They both have directed a GOOD film before, and B. they were both involved with Metal Gear SOLID since the beginning.

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Mar 16th 2008 8:26PM

Now settle down kids, now it's time to slap you in the face with something I like to call reality. Now then if this MGS movie does happen, don't expect any of the zany bullshit usually found in the games. Instead expect a significantly watered down version of the story where it's just a simple espionage movie. Sure there maybe a few nods here and there to fans