We haven’t heard too much about the progress of turning the ultra-popular video game Gears of War into a major motion picture since hearing that Len Wiseman would be the man directing the project. Recently, Making Of had the chance to have a little chat with producer Wyck Godfrey, who was able to share a tiny little bit of information on where the film may be heading, including a decision which could make or break the project before it even begins.
Godfrey explained that they were working with Wiseman and that they had spoken with the gentlemen over at Epic Games who developed the series. It would appear that their big hurdle right now is whether they should jump right into the madness that we saw in the games, or if it would be better for them to do something of an origins story and show what things were like before the war with the Locust began.
The hard part is how to make it into something that doesn’t feel like a world torn asunder and people just in battle. I think we really want to focus on the idea of a world that’s running well, and then it’s Emergence Day and kind of make it impactful and immediate and the survival of those 48 hours as people survive Emergence Day. It’s more like ‘Cloverfield’ or something like that. Because trying to tell the epic story of an alien planet that’s living in a horrific environment just feels like the wrong mood right now.
This would be a very heavy object balancing on a thin line, if you ask me. If they want to do origins, it simply can not take a large part of the film to push through. A quick little setup — maybe half-hour of a two-hour film — before they get down to business. Anything more would be dangerous.
No one wants a large amount of character build-up in a Gears of War movie, but at the same time, it’s not the worst idea to show pre-chaos and maybe even take the opportunity to set up the Dom storyline — which is the only real personal storyline that they can use and manufacture some emotions through. But let’s get something straight: if they want emotion, it better be on a small scale. Too much would definitely take away from what Gears is all about, and that’s sawin’ Locusts in half! However, I will admit that I enjoyed the Dom story that played out in the sequel, and would like to see it as part of the film.
The main concern is still in director Wiseman. His resume includes semi-popular films like Underworld, Underworld: Evolution, and Live Free or Die Hard. For some, this gives him the credentials to handle a Gears of War movie, but for someone like me who was never impressed by the Underworlds, loathed Live Free or Die Hard, and loves the Gears games, I’m truly worried about what’s going to happen here. But until we get a little peek, it’s just time to stay optimistic and hope for the best.
What do you think? Is an origins story a waste of time, or can it be utilized effectively?
[Source: via MTV]
If they over do the origins part it’ll be a waste. I say stick to the games storyline (even as is it’ll be a hand full).
I completely disagree! The problem with every Video Game movie so far is they completely disregard character development and story so that they can throw a giant homage to the fan boys. They should look at this from the ground up and end the movie with marcus getting put in jail. The movie should be more band of brothers and less DOOM.
If Kevin Reipl doesn’t do the soundtrack, I’ll poop in my pants.
If they end with Marcus being put in jail, then they completely disregard everything that made Gears of War what it is. That would jump them from an origins story to a pure prequel.
Would you really trust them to make up their own story? I surely would not.
There’s enough story in Gears to do a little character building and set it up, but they will stick to what the game offered, too. This movie is most likely being built as a Summer blockbuster, so they are definitely not going to fully concentrate on story. I’m just hoping there’s a little bit mixed within the endless action.
I don’t think I will upset anyone when I say that Gears of War isn’t exactly Hemingway. There isn’t a whole lot to work with unless the film aims at being an action romp. In that case the story should suffice. I look forward to the final product mostly to see how well the games settings translate into reality. I love the look of the games not including character design which I detest (too brutish). Should make a bit of money. Now, can we get going on this God of War film?
The God of War movie could be amazing, BUT it was set up with Brett Ratner, and we all know the bile that would come of that.
I’d rather it never get made than be made by him.
Someone else should absolutely try and grab it, though.