Sony Hires Original Game Writer To Pen THE LAST OF US Movie

It's starting to look like studios are going-for-broke when it comes to adapting video games to film. reports that Sony is looking to develop The Last of Us into a film, which just happens to be a Sony owned (developed by Naughty Dog) video game. TheWrap has news Sony's Screen Gems is aiming to distribute the film with Sam Raimi producing with his company Ghost House Pictures. Neil Druckmann, who wrote the game's story has been hired to pen the script. A second game is expected to be released in 2015, which might lead to a trilogy, similar to Uncharted.


This sounds like the best situation, as the Naughty Dog games have the most cinematic stories. Having another writer mangle the material seems like the worst idea, if the original story is solid. It's the second Naughty Dog produced game property the studio is developing, they're currently taking another-shot at making an Uncharted movie. Director Seth Gordon (War Games, Horrible Bosses, Identity Theft) recently made a deal to direct that action-adventure comedy. It will be interesting if Sony ends up hiring another director tailor-made for the horror thriller.

SOURCE: THEWRAP

HORRIBLE BOSSES Director Seth Gordon Will Direct UNCHARTED Movie

Deadline has an update concerning Sony's Uncharted movie, which lost director David O. Russell a while back. They say that Seth Gordon (King of Kong, Horrible Bosses, Identity Theft) has signed on to direct the video game adaptation. Fingers crossed, Gordon isn't eyeing the awfully dull Jason Bateman for the charming Nathan Drake. The film's recent script was penned by David Guggenheim (Safe House), who was recently hired to write Bad Boys 3 for the studio.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

METAL GEAR SOLID Film Officially Announced

Columbia/Sony Pictures and producer Avi Arad (Spider-Man 1-3, Blade 1-3, X-Men 1-3) have announced (via SlashFilm) along with Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima that a film based on the iconic video game franchise is on the way. Metal Gear Solid follows Solid Snake, a retired soldier who infiltrates a nuclear weapons disposal facility to neutralize the terrorist threat from FOXHOUND, a renegade special forces unit. Avi's other current video game film projects include Mass Effect at Legendary Picutures/Warner Bros and Uncharted. Let's just hope this doesn't end up the next Resident Evil.

Hideo gave his wishlist of actors that included Matt Damon, Hugh Jackman and Ben Affleck. Not mention dropping the name of Christopher Nolan as his dream director. Nolan is unlikely as he's a loyal director for Warner Bros. and wouldn't jump ship to Sony. Affleck is in the same boat as he's making his mark as a director with WB as well. However, Nolan hasn't officially signed on to his next film . If he did make MSG he could develop Solid Snake into his own version of Bond set in a high-tech globetrotting action genre.

Previously, it had been rumored that Christian Bale had been wanted for the lead role of Snake.

David O'Russell Ditches Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

ShowBlitz has news that David O'Russell (The Fighter, Three Kings) has exited Sony's Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. David was set to write and direct the video game adaptation which he had Mark Wahlberg, Scarlett Johansson, Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in mind for the leads. It's unknown if O'Russell's script will end up being used or if the film will still move forward. Currently O'Russell had mentioned many other films in the works that included Cocaine Cowboys and a sequel to The Fighter.

David O'Russell Wants Scarlett Johansson For Uncharted

During an interview with Empire the Oscar nominated director was asked about his upcoming action film Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. While Empire suggested Amy Adams, David mentioned Scarlett Johansson for the role of journalist Elena. It seems like a perfect fit as Johansson is going to gather a lot of heat from her role in Avengers . She was also expected to star in Pride & Prejudice & Zombies when O'Russell was on board to direct.

Mark Wahlberg is set to play Drake while Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci are still mentioned for having roles in the film.

Mark Wahlberg Confirmed For Uncharted, De Niro & Pesci Offered Roles

Mark Wahlberg has confirmed to MTV during an interview that he has been cast in David O'Russell's Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. The actor nd writer/director just worked together on The Fighter which is already gathering Oscar buzz for the two along with Christian Bale who co-stars. I had Wahlberg pegged for the role as soon as O'Russell came on board to direct. I'd like to think we'll be getting a more Three Kings type of action romp from the director. Let's hope the curse of video game films will be lifted with this decent sounding one. It's expected the films could spawn into trilogy if the first one is a successful enough.


Wahlberg also confirmed previous rumors of roles being offered to Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci. While they haven't signed on the roles are being written just for them. De Niro would play Drake's father and Pesci his uncle. It would be amazing to see the two work together again since the last time was Casino.

David O'Russell To Officially Direct Uncharted

Sony has announced today that David O'Russell has been hired to direct their adaptation of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. He'll also be given the task of beefing up Kyle Ward's script. While most video films haven't been too successful I think Russell might be good enough to pull this off. The video game series itself is pretty cinematic and doesn't have the mystical creatures that could be pitfalls (Resident Evil). O'Russell had been rumored for the job back in May but hasn't been confirmed until now. The game follows Drake a modern Harrison Ford (think Solo not Indy) type treasure hunter.





David O'Russell is sort of touch and go while he seems to be able to handle action and drama. Not so much when it comes to full on comedy so hopefully this won't be a straight up comedic adventure film. I do have to admit to enjoying Three Kings (another treasure hunting film) and I'm looking forward to The Fighter which was going to be directed by Darren Aronofsky (now producing). It's expected Sony will be trying to make a trilogy of the series so if this one does well there will be more films. When it comes to casting now that O'Russell is on board I wouldn't be suprised if Mark Wahlberg ends up in the Drake role. The two have worked together on three projects previously. Let's just hope this ends up better than Max Payne did