We may have another video game adaptation to look forward to, this time helmed by the same person who directed Straight Outta Compton.
Deadline has recently reported that F. Gary Gray is in developments to direct a film based on the hit video game series Saints Row. This adaptation is also set to have its script written by Greg Russo, who currently also has his hands full with a script for another video game adaptation: The Mortal Kombat franchise.
The Saints Row series features open-world action-adventure gameplay, with nonlinear elements much like Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto series. Saints Row was created and developed by Volition, with publishing being handled by Deep Silver. It follows the story of a gang called the Third Street Saints and their exploits to rule the fictional cities of Stilwater and Steelport. The series has four major installments: Saints Row, Saints Row 2, Saints Row: The Third and Saints Row IV.
I am one of those people who unironically follow video game adaptations. They have never been that critically well-received, and some of them have been repackaged with Hollywood qualities so much that they almost seem like soulless cash grabs. I’m keeping my hopes up that someone will finally get it right someday, and although I can’t speak for F. Gary Gray’s whole body of work, I thought 2003's The Italian Job was pretty damn enjoyable. Here’s hoping he can translate some of that spark into a proper Saints Row adaptation.
The Saints Row film will be a co-production between Fenix Studios, Koch Media and Occupant Entertainment. It’s also good to hear that publisher Deep Silver is somewhat involved in the film’s development, seeing as Koch Media is also the conglomerate that owns Deep Silver. Fenix Studios, meanwhile, is also deep within the development of a separate video game adaptation, the incredibly underrated Echo. Seriously, play that game if you haven’t. It’s really good, and you can buy if for cheap on Steam.
In other video game adaptation news, Detective Pikachu is nearing its release, while the Sonic movie is.. uhmm.. hmm. Interesting to say the least. Go check out the trailer if you haven’t.
