The Hollywood script writer given the responsibility of penning the silver screen adaptation of Epic's Gears of War has said that movie will be an "enormous film".
Speaking to GamePro.com, Stuart Beattie, whose writing credits include Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, explained that it's likely the Gears movie will be shot entirely on green screen like 300.
"There's no way to build that world any other way, really", he said. "That's a huge world. It's a planet and it's a bubble and it's a building. It's an epic sci-fi war and an enormous film. To get it made at all, the only way to make it for a price is to be on a soundstage. But the game also has that look, which is really interesting, so I think it will dovetail really nicely."
Beattie also said he's going to be "riding" Epic's "asses" about the film script and is working closely with the developer and Gears's daddy CliffyB.
Epic has "lived with this game more than I have and they definitely know these characters, this world and all that kind of stuff. I think the things that they need to develop their games are the same things that I need to write my script. That's just a treasure trove waiting to be mined as far as I'm concerned".
oh this movie is gonna be full of sparkling dialogue... I can't wait! woo hoo... I don't think so. Much rather play the sequel game, why bother waste money on another crap movie to game adap?
I think my disappointment with game-to-movie adaptations is the conspicuous loss of connection with the characters, and it's always surprised me that Hollywood thinks that it's such a good idea to adapt games. I suppose it broadens the fanbase, and brings in the fanboys for an extra six or seven pounds each at the cinema (plus whatever else on DVD), but if the claim is that video games are a unique interactive artform, then adapting them in this way seems counterintuitive. Also, handing these projects over to music video directors and buffoons (Do I need to name Uwe Boll to anyone on this forum?) doesn't do the process any great service.
The only 'game' film that has ever brought a genuine smile to my face is DOOM, so ridiculous and overblown that it was like playing the game. The POV camera work was cute as well.
The only 'game' film that has ever brought a genuine smile to my face is DOOM, so ridiculous and overblown that it was like playing the game. The POV camera work was cute as well.
You being serious? It was nothing like playing the game and had nothing to do with it. They copied the name of the game and the name of the BFG (which they changed from Big F**king Gun to Bio-Force Gun, or some nonsence). Whats with the zombies at the end as well? Whats that got to do with anything? Awful film. I even remember that Empire (I think( apologised after bigging the film up in a preview before it came out and then offered to refund tickets if anyone went to the see it because of this once they saw the finished product. They should have kept with the plan back in the late ninetys to make it with Bruce Campbell.
I was just wondering if MS's choice in studio will be partly down to where their alliances lay with blu-ray and hd-dvd. As i hardly think they'll go with someone in the exclusive blu-ray camp.
It would only be a good film if it was an 18 certificate. Anything less and it would turn into an unfunny tongue in cheek buddy movie with comedy monsters.
I cant wait, if they dont screw it up then it will be one bad ass movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
It would only be a good film if it was an 18 certificate.
Is that supposed to be a joke?
No, this is a joke:
A woman goes to the doctors.
Woman says'Doctor my husband won't have sex with me because he thinks my wotsits got teeth'.
Doctor says'Why don't you wait till he's asleep, take your kecks off, sit over him and wake him up. When he see's that there are no teeth, he'll be fine'.
Woman says'Well I would, but it's that time of the month'
Doctor says'Even better, he'll think you've just had them out!'
Gears the game was done in a very cinematic style anyway, so if the scriptwriters and director don't screw it up it is possible it could be the exception to the rule that movies of games are crap.
It has claustrophobia, aliens, an escape in a vehicle, destruction of expensive property - movie gold!
When I played it felt like a sequel and that I should know why Marcus was in jail, where the Covenant came from, what exactly Imulsion is (a fuel source, sure, but what is it?) and why it's so valuable, but these things could be very easily covered in a movie too.
the doom flms TECHNICAL name fr the bfg wasio-force gun, but the rock did indeed cal it the big f**king gun. but thats beside the point isnt it.
give them good script writer (black pearls script was good and the actors made it even better) some good actors (not people with head stubble playing agent 47) keep to the games reality and story (not change the characters around, yes im looking at you silent hill) and keep o the feel of the game (resident evil >_< and it should be at least an ok film.
unfportunately, hollywood are so into overblown crapiles that this i unlikely to happen.
The main problem with all these game-to-film adaptations is that the script writer is usually some hack on a company payroll who is forced (or is happily willing) to ignore any elements of the game they don't want and bsacially make the film they were always going to make with or without the franchise.
In the end they release a souless film that annoys the fans and confounds the general public but they don't care because it was easy money.
I still can't help thinking that the denizens of hell in Doom were replaced with zombies to (a) avoid any anger from the conservative christian contingent and (b) because they didn't want to have to spend money on a cgi cyberdemon. Much cheaper to base it all around humanoid shapes methinks!
I thought the game had only the slightest hint of a story and the characters were pretty one dimensional. This should be perfect for a mediocre videogame to film adaptation.
They'd better keep the chainsaw bayonets though or there will be hell to pay!
Jonathan Ross: I should have noted that I don't actually LIKE the film DOOM, but to me it kinda captured the spirit of silliness that the game always gave me as kid. It is, admittedly, a stinker of a film (as are nearly all games-to-films), but yet its absurdity appealed to me for some perverse reason. It's not as bad as Alone in the Dark.
But hey, I'm no film critic: I just like The Rock+Karl Urban+guns+funny camera work. and the fact that it's always in CAPITAL LETTERS. If you want a movie critic, get Jonathan Ro... Oh, I see.
It would only be a good film if it was an 18 certificate.
Is that supposed to be a joke?
No, this is a joke:
A woman goes to the doctors.
Woman says'Doctor my husband won't have sex with me because he thinks my wotsits got teeth'.
Doctor says'Why don't you wait till he's asleep, take your kecks off, sit over him and wake him up. When he see's that there are no teeth, he'll be fine'.
Woman says'Well I would, but it's that time of the month'
Doctor says'Even better, he'll think you've just had them out!'
All game to films are s**t and it works the other way round with exception to the rule being goldeneye 007. I would like to see a film of gears of war providing they stay as close to the game as possible however
Street Fighter II Anime is an exception. Although you may not class this as a film. Think its definitely safe to say an 'live action' game-to-film attempts have failed miserable. I'm trying to think of a case where it wasn't that bad but I can't.
If treated correctly this could turn out to be a gem. Of course it would need a huge budget, some beefy bastards for the lead roles and some smart dialogue. Then they just need to capture the grittiness of the game and possibily tone down on the bodies and heads exploding and you will have a decent 15 rated film. Aldo tie the release in with a sequel to the game and you have a nice combo that will not only shift 360's but also possibily provide some character background.
It will have to be an 18 to remain as gritty. The game is an 18 after all and if the film (which can display much more realism with violence) was watered down to be a 15 it'd be rather embarressing. Thought we were trying to prove that gaming was for adults the other day? haha!
Ah just face it, unless they get the script right and hire some bigger names for the movie, we all know its going to suck. But of course, most of us will eventually end up watching it anyways.
They'll probably get Samuel L. Jackson to play himself. Maybe Morgan Freeman to do the narration. Then Nicholas Cage will say how big a fan he is and that he's got a GoW tattoo and he'll play someone.
Most game to film movies suck - it is true. The exceptions seem to be Resident Evil and DOOM - I did quite like them. The trouble I see is that they are trying to make the game into a film. They don't need to do that. It is like people comparing books to their film counterparts and complinaing they were nothing like each other. They are compeltely different media and comparing them is just balls.
As long as the film captures the mood, feeling and general atmosphere of the game it should be alright. The DOOM story in the film was completely different to the game, but you could easily recognise it as being a DOOM film. Same for Resident Evil films (I don't remember them being a huge amount like the games). If you all wish for the film to be like the game you will get a crap film. You need a film based on the game, within the game universe, but you don't want the game.
They'll probably get Samuel L. Jackson to play himself. Maybe Morgan Freeman to do the narration. Then Nicholas Cage will say how big a fan he is and that he's got a GoW tattoo and he'll play someone.
Freeman to do the narration...."ever since i was a little boy...people have enjoyed, the sound, of my voice.."
I thought the game had only the slightest hint of a story and the characters were pretty one dimensional. This should be perfect for a mediocre videogame to film adaptation.
They'd better keep the chainsaw bayonets though or there will be hell to pay!
A mediocre game? are you for real? Oh wait I get it you have a PS3 or Wii!
if they made it. they should make it like that final fantasy film, with realistic looking characters, but use the voices of the people who done the game and then also, obviously you could make the exact likenesses of the characters and monsters. i think, thatd be great, as long as the script was.
Most game to film movies suck - it is true. The exceptions seem to be Resident Evil and DOOM - I did quite like them.
I found these films greatly offensive. If you grew up with these series you'd see them as nothing more than a terrible attempt at a cash cow which viewed the original videogames as nothing but media for kids. The videogames themselves had higher certifications than the films. We won't get any serious attitudes towards gaming if the films that then get created are so f'ing terrible.
It will be rubbish though. Games can get away with repetition, unrealism, mindless violence and stupid dialogue because they're peripheral. What matters is how the game plays. The most important part of a fame is gameplay, the most important part of a film is a coherent plot. This is why, theoretically (I know it's not often done) one might get a decent game out of a film, it is unlikely that one will see a good film based on a game.
It will be rubbish though. Games can get away with repetition, unrealism, mindless violence and stupid dialogue because they're peripheral. What matters is how the game plays. The most important part of a fame is gameplay, the most important part of a film is a coherent plot. This is why, theoretically (I know it's not often done) one might get a decent game out of a film, it is unlikely that one will see a good film based on a game.
I agree. It's almost as though the two forms of media are mutually exclusive so rarely has a film to game or game to film adaptation been successful. I would add to your point though that a lot of it seems to be down to economics.
They either rush the game to tie in with the film release (Transformers) or make a cheap action movie to cash in on a game with mainstream credentials (Resident Evil). Either way, it's done to make a quick buck and is why adaptations invariably suck.
It will have to be an 18 to remain as gritty. The game is an 18 after all and if the film (which can display much more realism with violence) was watered down to be a 15 it'd be rather embarressing. Thought we were trying to prove that gaming was for adults the other day? haha!
I think even if it was as gritty it'd only be 15.
Films arent treated as harshly as games. Ive seen many more violent and brutal scenes in films than GOW shows that are only 15. Games dont have to do much to get a 18 rating.
I thought the game had only the slightest hint of a story and the characters were pretty one dimensional. This should be perfect for a mediocre videogame to film adaptation.
They'd better keep the chainsaw bayonets though or there will be hell to pay!
A mediocre game? are you for real? Oh wait I get it you have a PS3 or Wii!
I said "Mediocre video game to film adaptation" not "Mediocre Game". The game was excellent, particularly in co-op in which I have played it all the way through multiple times. However, I did think the story was pretty watery, and I could have told you before playing it which stereotypical team-mates would be in it.
Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, UK BA1 2BW England and Wales company registration number 2008885
Excellent
