It’s no secret that most video game related films are terrible, and we’re still not entirely sure why. However, today is National Video Game Day, and I made my absolute best effort to try and create five plausible, decent dream scenarios where a video game adaptation into film form could actually be not too shabby (or even good, but let’s not get too carried away with impossible situations, and the thousand meddling production problems that always ruin okay ideas). I won’t lie. I’m not the biggest gamer on Earth, so there are many video games itching to be adapted that I simply do not have the knowledge of (Fallout, Dark Souls, Final Fantasy VII, et cetera). Therefore, I don’t want to aimlessly try and predict these outcomes for these kinds of games. On that same note, I’ll avoid games that have been adapted at least multiple times (Tomb Raider, Pokémon, et cetera) or seem insanely illogical to adapt outside of anything but animated (lest we forget the Super Mario Bros. film).

So, the goal is to have these be live action adaptations of acclaimed or popular games that can actually be feasible. I can’t proclaim that I have the answers to solving this video game adaptation dilemma, but I can certainly try on a casual level to pretend that I do. So, let’s get right to it!

Note: I’m not casting roles solely based on looks, because acting is about much more than resemblance. Also, I’m not going to even attempt casting every single character, and am only offering a handful from each game. Those selected do not mean they are the most important roles of each game. Again, this is a casual attempt, and not a serious pitch to studios.

The Legend of Zelda
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Performers
Link: Timothée Chalamet
Zelda: Saoirse Ronan
Ganondorf: Michael Fassbender
Impa: Charlize Theron

First off, going for just one of the Legend of Zelda games may not be too wise, since there’s no way a number of them can be fully improved (Ocarina of Time, Breath of the Wild, Majora’s Mask, and I’m even putting Twilight Princess here). I think writing a similar Hyrule fable in the style of these games would suffice. There’s a lot of fantasy and a bit of grit, so Guillermo del Toro’s balance of childlike imagination and mature reality would work out well. We need a great visible actor for the silent Link, so Timothée Chalamet performing without talking may work out (although contacts and hair dye will be a part of his daily makeup routine). A young, dominant actress like Saoirse Ronan seems like a no-brainer for Princess Zelda herself. Ganondorf requires a menacing, overbearing actor (almost on a Shakespearean level), and Michael Fassbender could possibly play this well. Finally, my favourite iterations of Impa are when she’s a threat to evil on all fronts, so let’s go with Charlize Theron and call it a day.

Again, a completely new tale akin to the best Zelda storylines would be needed. Luckily, these games mix action with their narratives extremely often, so the joys of playing the game and the depths of the story writing can hopefully go hand in hand here. A long duration is needed (studios will need to suck it up; this begs for at least an over three hour feature, and any fan hoping the game is done right will come to watch, so ticket sales need not be worried about). As long as the film isn’t too invested in side quests, this could actually be an okay feature.

Red Dead Redemption
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Performers
John Marston: Hugh Jackman
Arthur Morgan: Jake Gyllenhaal
Bill Williamson: Viggo Mortensen
Sadie Adler: Brie Larson

Between both Red Dead Redemption games (I’m aware Red Dead Revolver exists, but ehhhh…), you can have either a great trilogy of films, or a fantastic miniseries (especially if you place 2 first, or figure out a great out-of-sequence way to tell both games’ stories of the past, present, and future). We’ve seen what Denis Villeneuve brings to science fiction, but I’m excited to find out what his brooding, cynical style would do to other genres; perhaps a spaghetti western? The Williamson gang needs some of the great gritty actors of our time, so I went with names attached to both action and dramatic roles (Jackman, Gyllenhaal, Mortensen) who could do these roles justice. We can’t forget the great female characters in either game, but the one name that begs to be a focal part of all of this is Sadie Adler and her memorable storyline. If you can put your Captain Marvel complaints past this suggestion, I personally think Brie Larson would do a great job blending the emotional and tough aspects of this character.

With Red Dead, you either go big or go home. This western epic series is heavily influenced by cinema (look at all of the tributes and easter eggs), and a big portion of its immersive experience is allowing players to live out not just the storylines of their favourite westerns, but the in-between daily occurrences you likely don’t see in film that often. A director that deals with on screen patience well is needed, and a huge amount of focus is needed for the backstories and world building. The games utilize sandbox freedom, so maybe the adaptation can inject some unpredictability into the mix in order to mimic this.

The Last of Us
Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
Performers
Joel: Tom Hardy
Ellie: Millie Bobby Brown
Marlene: Naomie Harris
David: Mads Mikklesen

I’m not bringing up the sequel, because I know virtually nothing about it, outside of its time in relation to the original game. The Last of Us would translate well as an unforgiving tale of survival on screen, so I personally wouldn’t look any further than what Alejandro G. Iñàrritu could do for this story of rationing in a minimalist, apocalyptic environment. Joel is a great anchor to scenes, so a reserved Tom Hardy (he does exist) would exemplify this character well. Ellie is very young in the first game, and saying Ellen Page should play her is expected, but I’m selecting someone who actually is around the age of the character with Millie Bobby Brown. Naomie Harris and Mads Mikklesen could be fantastic as Marlene and David, respectively.

Just imagine a poetic, slower take on the game in film form: the anxiety created by waiting for coasts to be clear, the explosion of sneak attack moments, and the misery caused upon reflection of loved ones passing. There needs to be action, but a nuanced take on The Last of Us cinematically would illicit the beauty that the games possess.

Metal Gear Solid
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Performers
Solid Snake: Joel Edgerton
Liquid Snake: Joel Edgerton
Meryl Silverburgh: Emily Blunt
Mei Ling: Jing Tian
Roy Campbell: Christoph Waltz

Let’s be honest. The entire Metal Gear franchise demands a cinematic series. First, we have to be green lit for the remainder of these films. So, why not start where the video game franchise was as narratively involved as it is now famous for? Metal Gear Solid would be based on the very first game of the Solid series (that being Metal Gear Solid). Kathryn Bigelow’s recent hot streak of political and military based thrillers would suit this film well. Both Solid and Liquid Snake would logistically be played by the same actor, so I find Joel Edgerton dominant and versatile enough to pull the similarities and differences between the two off. We then need some bold actresses for the stronger female roles, including Emily Blunt and Jing Tian. Finally, Colonel Campbell demands to be someone magnetic, so Christoph Waltz it is.

A good portion of the Metal Gear franchise is devoted to cinematic elements (more so in the later games) and stealth (so, patience). If this film relied heavily on the politics and espionage threads with pinches of action (amidst the narrow escapes our hero Solid Snake will have to pull off), then you could have a video game adaptation that’s a serious narrative thriller with well deserved outbursts, rather than a film trying to replicate action in a game that uses it sparingly and wisely.

Twisted Metal
Director: George Miller
Performers
Needles Kane (Sweet Tooth): Jasper Pääkönen
Calypso: Clive Owen
Axel: Michael B. Jordan
Bloody Mary (Spectre): Noomi Rapace

Out of the film ideas listed here, Twisted Metal would likely be the most action heavy. We do need a director who can balance plot on-the-fly with insane levels of carnage, and who better than George Miller? He literally has two brilliant vehicular onslaught action masterpieces under his belt (The Road Warrior and Mad Max: Fury Road). There are many (and I mean many) characters to choose from. We need a staple of the series, like Axel (and Michael B. Jordan would nail this role). We also need to select some of the better driver variants of the popular cars, including the Twisted Metal Black version of Spectre (Bloody Mary, who Noomi Rapace can play, especially since she deserves badass action roles that can fully show what she can do). Now we observe the two main parts. Calypso is a master manipulator, but incredibly stoic, so someone like Clive Owen could do the job (even if this is a rendition where Calypso himself fights; I believe Owen can still qualify here). I’m picking a wildcard for the antihero Needles Kane (or Sweet Tooth) with the insanely underrated Jasper Pääkönen, who can be dangerous, menacing, and also bonkers all at once; it would be silly to just hijack someone who has played The Joker recently, and Pääkönen deserves more love for crying out loud.

This tale of a bloodbath contest based on the dreams and wishes of the hopeless would be incredibly ambitious. Great connections to all characters would be ideal, since there are only so many contestants here, and feeling either love or hatred for all of them would make each and every step of the contest that much more meaningful (plus, we can argue that those that “lose” never come back, unlike the game, so each death has to refrain from being trivial). The sadistic twists of wishes being fulfilled — akin to the endings of the games — can absolutely be worked in here. If worst comes to worst, this can go the Clue route and have three different winners with their own endings, but I don’t think that’s absolutely necessary (a fun idea, though, but we know most viewers will be rooting for the psychotic Insane Clown Posse honorary member “Sweet Tooth” Kane). If there was ever a game from the series to pull inspiration from, I certainly hope Black is the top consideration.

Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.

Five Not-So Terrible Film Adaptations of Video Games Ideas (We Hope)