Game-to-Film Adaptations for Spring and Beyond
Raya Kuzyk -- Library Journal, 01/05/2009
Silent Hill. Hitman. In the Name of the King. These count among a throng of films adapted from or inspired by videogames, all of them generally panned (sorry!) by players and critics. Though some game-to-film adaptations, or G2Fs, have scored big at the box office—Laura Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) grossed more than $274 million—none has been a critical success. Below are a few forthcoming contenders for that title.
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun Li (Fox, Feb. 27, 2009)
Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak
Starring Kristin Kreuk, Neal McDonough, Chris Klein
The second live-action film (this one, sans Jean-Claude Van Damme) based on the videogame franchise.
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BioShock (Universal)
Directed by Gore Verbinski
Purportedly the biggest videogame-to-movie deal since the ill-fated 2005 Halo; based on the undersea world of the Xbox 360 first-person adventure game (Take-Two Interactive, 2007).
God of War (Universal)
Based on the Greek mythology–steeped action-adventure game for the PS2 console (Sony Computer Entertainment, 2005).
King of Fighters
Directed by Gordon Chan
Starring Maggie Q, Sean Faris, Will Yun Lee
Based on the SNK Playmore arcade fighting game that has, since its 1994 release, spawned 11 sequels and 13 spinoff games.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (Disney)
Directed by Mike Newell
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley
Based on the third-person action-adventure computer and video game (Ubisoft, 2003).
Rainbow Six (Paramount)
Directed by John Woo
First, a Tom Clancy novel-turned-franchise; then, a tactical first-person-shooter multiplatform videogame (Ubisoft, 1998); and, soon, a film directed by Woo, who also recently optioned the movie rights to Nintendo’s popular Metroid series (1986).
The Sims: The Movie (Fox)
Based on the cult strategic life-simulation computer game (Electronic Arts, 2000).
