Yesterday we found out why Gore Verbinski is no longer working on the BioShock movie adaptation. Basically, he couldn't get enough backing (money) for the movie he wanted to make. "We just didn't have any takers on an R-rated movie with that price-tag," he said.
Verbinski remains convinced the BioShock film will never get made unless the movie was made to meet a PG-13 rating. The Gore Verbinski version of BioShock could have a been a dark, graphic, and authentic video game based movie. The reason this movie won't be made is because the studios are afraid to put money behind something that won't appeal to the lowest common denominator. Is this the reason video game based movies are destined to fail, because movie execs don't have faith in making video game movies authentic?
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Natedizzy
The movie would only suck if it was PG 13 so ya whats wrong with hollywood now that everything has to be PG 13? This movie has to be rated R to work out for the people that care about the game.
VII
I thoroughly disagree with the opinion that video games cannot, and will never be made into good movies. I would say that yes, turning a video game into a movie is a much more harrowing, challenging task than adapting a book or a novel, or even a comic book universe. I would also say that just because it is more difficult does not mean it is impossible, and I foresee a future where there are not just a few, but many video game-based movies that are truly great additions to cinema. Why? Look at the trends. Every year a slew of new games come out that are chalk full of theatrical cues, with copious amounts of influence from Hollywood and the film industry. More and more million/billion dollar making triple A titles are becoming increasingly more like their cinematic cousins, which is quickly closing the gap between what's possible in the realm of video game to movie adaptation. Games like God of War, any COD from the last 5 years, Bioshock, Dead Space, Uncharted, Red Dead Redemption, Assassin's Creed, and LOADS more fantastic, highly praised and loved games, have all utilized many of the same techniques as a blockbuster film; Each one of these games has continuously become more and more cinematic, whether it's through the atmosphere of the game, the games pacing, the dialogue, or the storytelling in general. And this is just the beginning. Look at a game like L.A. Noire, with it's setting, it's atmosphere, and in particular the technology behind it... The line between these two forms of entertainment is starting to blur, and it will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Another reason I have plenty of faith that video game/movie adaptations will (eventually) meet the promised land of well made cinema, is the large strides forward the industry is making as a whole. As these games become more and more common place within society and popular culture, and the more converts social gaming captivates, the larger the audience these properties will have to work with, allowing for a much more true-to-form adaptations. Money is also an enormous part of this coming game-changer. The astronomical amount of money these games and franchises are starting to rake in for their developers and publishers is the tipping point; it is what will allow for the hard choices, such as the one featured in this article, to not allow a movies production to proceed based on a desire to stay true to the source material. True creative freedom is needed for these films to succeed, and the more power these game studios acquire, the more likely they are to defend their work and make sure it's treated with respect and compassion, rather than selling out and allowing Hollywood to make a cheap cash in. The video game industry is soon going to be on even ground with that of the film industry, and when that happens, that's when we'll see great movies being made based on our favorite games.
[AV]
CNCOMICS
I'm very happy about this bit of news. Video game movies fail, because the big wigs have lost their imaginations. They want to play it "safe" by not having to craft fantastic worlds and characters. Which is why such a new franchise like Uncharted recieved such a quick response to make a movie. Besides, for video game and comic book movies, the R rating is just like the AO rating, a borderline commercial death sentence.
Nivekwons
Maybe all video game movies suck thing will change with the Heavy Rain movie. Granted I am skeptical but as easy as that would be to translate into a movie and keep it's core I would be happy to see it (or any game movie for that matter) done properly, though I'm not optomistic.
DarkKirby2500
Takes a lot of balls to say no to a movie deal because of principle. Most people would, and do, say yes because even if the movie completely butchers the original work, it's still an easy few million with little effort from the original developers part.
Tim_1138
The reason video game movies are destined to fail is because video games are made to be video games, not movies. Period. Stop trying to make it complicated. Video games are made differently. The story is told differently. They are not movies, (with a few long winded exceptions.) They are longer, with more inferred and unspoken connection to the character. You relate with usually one main character very deeply in an extremely unique way. You can't replicate that in 2 hours with Marky Mark.
Forget about video game movies. Move on. I know you love this game or that game and want more of whatever universe, but abandon the idea of enjoy that universe in a movie. Just play the game. Save your money and your hope.
babyscottback
I don't think most movies based on games fail because of this. I believe that a lot fail because they are hell bound on sticking to how the game was, in every way. This doesn't always work in movies like it does in games. For instance, I watched Prince of Persia on Monday, and one part that I thought a lot about was how they kept panning around the palace near the beginning showing his plan. It was like how they did it in the game, but it didn't add too much to the movie. They only put it in like that to appeal to people who played the game. It wasn't the worst video game movie I had seen but it was little gimmicks like that which took away from the realness of the movie.
Taking the story and theme and running with it is much more suitable for movies in my opinion. The reason that Batman is the most successful comic book movie is because it took the important elements from the comics and left out the "over the top" stuff. I know this is more possible with Batman since he doesn't actually have super powers but the idea is still the same.
I believe this could have been a pretty good movie because Verbinski likes to focus on characters a lot in his movies, and this is definitely a movie when that would have helped.
These movie makers should stop trying to solely appear to the gamer in us (director of Doom - I am looking at you) and try to appeal more to the story lovers in us, because that's the biggest part of what makes a dramatic game good.
flashyandy
I say that it's for the best. Now they can't ruin the BioShock I experienced in the dark at home and in my head!
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