Adaptations have always driven Hollywood, and while books, comics, and even toys have produced plenty of inspiration, it's time for the humble video game to take its spotlight. Recent successes like The Last of Us and The Super Mario Bros. Movie are indicators of the industry finally understanding how to take a game from the console to the screen.
With that in mind, there are plenty of projects now in development based on famous intellectual properties. However, many of those TV shows and movies aren't being talked about very publicly because they are in the early stages of development. But, audiences can begin to anticipate finally seeing these games in a different medium.
10 Illumination Projects
The Super Mario Bros. Movie experienced incredible success at the box office. Although it didn't perform quite so well critically, Illumination Animation managed to capture the spirit of the Nintendo franchise. It's natural that the animation company will be working on spinoffs and sequels.
While no specific project has been confirmed, it has seemingly been made official that Nintendo and Illumination will continue their partnership. Zelda, Donkey Kong, and a Mario sequel seem to be the rumored paths the company is taking. But there could be further unexpected movies in development.
9 Ghost Of Tsushima
The team at Sucker Punch Productions clearly put their heart and soul into the gorgeous Ghost Of Tsushima. The samurai game features one of the most detailed narratives in the medium's history and would be a natural fit for the world of cinema and premium television.
Director Chad Stahelski is already working on a Ghost of Tsushima film. But the John Wick 4 creative did also reveal that the team is looking at ways for the franchise to expand its storytelling into TV and other feature spinoffs. Sony Pictures and PlayStation Productions are heavily involved in the process.
8 Death Stranding
Kojima Productions brought the world Death Stranding, an ambitious science fiction title that was as beautiful to look at as it was deep in its emotional storytelling. While the apocalyptic open-world title might seem too big for a film, there is currently a push to adapt the franchise into a single feature.
Video game mastermind Hideo Kojima has already confirmed that he will not be directing the film, but he is heavily involved in the process. That should be reassuring for fans. Kojima Productions and Hammerstone Studios are creating the movie together, which will supposedly introduce a range of new figures to this established world.
7 God Of War
The God Of War series is one of PlayStation and Sony's biggest action sellers to date. The fantastic world of deities and legends is so wide and should be a natural project to take to the screen. The major deliberation is over where the studios should begin this journey, considering there are so many games in the series.
It will be Amazon and Sony that are teaming up to take God Of War to the small screen. It's most likely that Kratos' adventure will start similarly to the original Greek trilogy of games rather than jumping straight to the modern Norse variation. That should thus act as a sturdier introduction for audiences who know nothing about the video game. The show is still in its earliest stages, though.
6 Horizon
Sony and PlayStation are ensuring that a huge array of their titles make it to the small screen, and the Horizon saga is a top priority. The game series was worked on by Guerrilla Games and told the story of the hunter Aloy who fights through a world of robotic monstrosities.
The futuristic Horizon Zero Dawn is attached to both Netflix and Irish Cowboy Productions. The show is to be led by Steve Blackman and will aim to accurately re-tell the story of the game rather than going in a new direction. Details are still thin on the ground, but it's obvious that the studios involved will have to dig deep into their budgets to reflect the technology of the title.
5 It Takes Two
It Takes Two from Electronic Arts and Hazelight Studios was a surprise hit. The co-op title is whimsical, fast-paced, and really inventive in its gameplay mechanics. It's an unexpected move to bring this title to a new medium, considering its story acts mainly as a vehicle for intriguing player interaction.
Regardless, the comedic It Takes Two initially had Amazon Studios on board and Dwayne Johnson attached to produce. Writers Josh Miller and Pat Casey are currently putting together a script for the piece. They are very open about the challenges of including as much as possible from the game in the final movie.
4 Detective Pikachu 2
The first Detective Pikachu film is among the highest-grossing video game movies of all time. Although the initial game from Nintendo, The Pokémon Company, and Creatures was much-loved, the excitement for the film was truly centered on seeing Pokémon in live-action for the first time.
A sequel to Detective Pikachu seemed to be off the table, but Legendary Pictures are now reportedly talking to a new creative team to get the project running. Jonathan Krisel and Chris Galletta are the director and writer on the scene. It looks as if the film will boast an entirely different cast of characters asides from a returning Ryan Reynolds.
3 Pokémon
Pokémon from The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, and Nintendo continues to be an absolute juggernaut of the gaming world. The anime has helped to firmly establish the series in an alternative medium, but there is an appetite to see more from the series in live-action.
Audiences might not be aware that Netflix is now in pre-production on a live-action Pokémon TV series. Reports suggest that the Ash anime came to a conclusion to give Netflix the room to explore that character and world. The show will be ambitious in its scale as it attempts to replace Stranger Things as the flagship for the streaming service.
2 Minecraft
Minecraft from Mojang Studios, Telltale Games, and Xbox Game Studios is such a phenomenon. The building experience has so many layers, and players have been telling their own stories with the platform for years. An adaptation of a title like this seems to be impossible.
But a Minecraft movie is moving full steam ahead, with a filming date set. The live-action spectacle has a who's who of talent involved, including Jason Momoa and Pedro Pascal in front of the camera and Jared Hess behind it. Warner Bros. is spearheading the project, which is setting the Ender Dragon as the key antagonist.
1 Assassin's Creed
Assassin's Creed is one of those franchises that always seems to be expanding into new areas. Although Assassin's Creed Infinity will excite fans of the Ubisoft series, the notion of another live-action adaptation is sure to pique interest. Assassin's Creed has a poor history when it comes to the big screen.
However, Assassin's Creed will not be adapted as a movie again but will instead get a television run. Ubisoft confirmed that a deal had been reached with Netflix to work on multiple Assassin's Creed projects. While an animated and anime series is on the cards, the initiative is being fronted by the secretive live-action show.