For the better part of half-a-decade a movie based on the popular videogame series Metal Gear Solid has been continually rumored. The most believable of those involved have been screenwriter David Hayter (who voices Solid Snake), while the other end of the spectrum includes talent like Paul Thomas Anderson, Christian Bale and even Uwe Boll. But now we have another update, one that we can actually put some stock into.
Last night in Tokyo a party was held for the franchise’s 25th year anniversary, where creator Hideo Kojima took the stage with Avi Arad, Marvel Studios founder and producer of many major blockbusters including all four Spider-Man films and the X-Men trilogy. The duo officially announced the film was back in development with Columbia Pictures.
Arad, who is also producing an adaptation of another major Sony franchise, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, said, “For many years I fought to bring comics to theater – and video games are the comics of today.” He added that, “We will take our time and tell the story with all the nuances, ideology, and cautionary tales needed” and of course, Kojima would be heavily involved with the production.
As someone who was a major fan of the first few Metal Gear Solid videogames (when it relaunched in 1998), I’ve been curious as to what sort of take would be given to the series bringing it to the big screen. While Arad is known for having a bigger is better philosphy for his major action blockbusters, part of the charm in the series is the subdued nature of it. Perhaps my dream director would be someone like Anton Corbijn or Tomas Alfredson, but I can’t see that happening. [The Verge]
Who would you like to see direct a Metal Gear film?