For many years, Hollywood has struggled with the concept of a video game adaptation. Some video games tell amazing and emotional stories, memorable to players and viewers alike. These same experiences have a hard time making it to the big screen in Hollywood, and they especially struggle to get made.
RELATED:FPS Games With The Most Replay Value
Many video games were supposed to be given the Hollywood treatment, and some great-sounding adaptations were canceled. However, with streaming services offering so much content these days, perhaps video games are set to return as shows rather than movies.
8Sly Cooper
Before makingGhost of Tsushima, Sucker Punch created the PlayStation exclusive series,Sly Cooper. This series followed the stealthy antics of ahumanoid raccoonand his friends. In 2014,Sly Cooperreceived a teaser trailer for the potential of a movie that would be coming to the big screen. However, after eight years, it’s safe to say that Sly Cooper’s movie is a heist the Sly gang cannot pull off.
Sly Cooperwas going to be Sony Entertainment’s big push into the cinematic world of their PlayStation brands. However, the box office failure ofRatchet and Clankleft themcancelingSly Cooperat the end of 2017.
7Assassin’s Creed 2
One of gaming’s most famed and beloved franchises,Assassin’s Creed, made its way to theaters in 2016. Sadly for fans of the franchise and newcomers, the movie was a critical failure, as well as anot-so-great box office return. Since then, Michael Fassbender’s movies have been halted and most likely canceled. This comes from the fact thatNetflix is embarking on a journeyto make multipleAssassin’s Creedshows.
It’s a shame that another Michael FassbenderAssassin’s Creedmovie will not be happening, as the actor is great for his dedication to physicality and his acting prowess. It was a brilliant casting call, so to use him for one movie seems like such a waste.
6God Of War
Following a story of vengeance and an interesting take on Greek mythology,God of Waris an amazing franchise, with another sequel set to release on PlayStation consoles in late 2022. However, in the early 21st century,God of Warwas set to arrive on the big screen withproducer Charles Roventalking about thegame’s potential as a movie.
It’s somewhat of a mess to find anything about the movie, considering it was first announced before the 2005 release ofGod of War2. With information scarce on the movie, it’s about to be completely overshadowed by the fact that the franchise is set for the Amazon Prime Video treatment.
5BioShock
After years in a cycle of troubled development,BioShockwas finally ready to shoot. Justeight weeks before the development date, the film was canceled, and conversations about it seemed to stagnate. The series is ripe for a series or a movie, considering its greatly interesting visuals and world-building.
Fans won’t have to wait too long, as the series isset for the Netflix treatment. It’s funny to look back on so long ago and see a film where a fresh-faced Eddie Redmayne was in the running to star as the protagonist of a video game movie.
4Tomb Raider 2
2018 saw the return ofTomb Raiderto the big screen, with a brand new depiction of the character since the Angelina Jolie-led movies. The film did just okay, both critically and commercially. However, recent issues have come to light regarding thebidding war that began over the film rightstoTomb Raider. As such, it seems that Alicia Vikander’sTomb Raiderwill become an artifact.
RELATED:Tomb Raider Games With The Most Replay Value
Because MGM did not officiallygreenlightTomb Raider2by May 2022, the production company responsible for the first film has lost the rights, and the incredibly popular video game franchise returns to being just that: a video game.
3Call Of Duty
Few video game franchises are as packed with releases asCall of Duty. There’s a new title almost every year, offering a new story and gameplay. As far as video games go,Call of Dutyisn’t one that people would expect to be a film, considering it’s a first-person title. This has not stopped cinematic experiences, asCall of Duty: Black Opswas written by David S. Goyer.
Since 2017, Activision Blizzard Studios have been planning a“Marvel-styleCall of Dutyfilm universe.” How that would work,only Activision Blizzard Studios know. However, considering the original director, Stefano Sollima, stated in 2020 that these films were not a priority, it’s safe to assume that these movies are dead in the water.
2Halo
Few franchises have been through more directors than there are actual sequels.Halohas had names attached, likeNeill Blomkamp, Alex Garland, and Peter Jackson. However, these films never saw the light of day, and the curse ofHalo’s live-action cinematic debut now seems to be put to rest forever, thanks to Paramount Plus’Haloseries.
Halois one of the mostbeloved franchises to grace the video game scene. Ever since 2001’sHalo:Combat Evolved, the universe and Master Chief, in particular, have become gaming icons worthy of a story to be told with a big-budget sci-fi blockbuster.
1The Last Of Us
In 2013, Naughty Dog released their most cinematic game yet.The Last of Uswas a storytelling marvel and tested what video games could offer gamers in terms of emotion and story. It did not take long before Sony Entertainment announced that a cinematic version ofThe Last of Uswas in development, with Sam Raimi actively involved in the production.
After years of no news revolving around the production, Sony inevitably canceled it. Neil Druckmann, the game’s writer and director, even came out to comment on the cancelation and revealed that the studio, Druckmann, and Sonycould not agree on a faithful adaption. However,The Last of Usis set to arrive as an HBO Max show in 2023.
MORE:Video Game Endings That People Are Still Debating To This Day
