
Netflix's latest video game adaptations finally got some updates — and my nerves are officially kicking in
So when I first heard Netflix was adapting them into movies, I couldn't help but feel excited (even if my expectations were... cautiously low). For a while, though, updates were scarce, and months of radio silence had me wondering if the projects had been quietly shelved. Thankfully, both titles have gotten some encouraging news in the past few days.
Director Francis Lawrence recently told IGN: 'Bioshock is still in development. I just actually just got a draft. We have a meeting with the writer [Justin Rhodes], so that's definitely a very strong possibility as well.'
He also acknowledged the uphill battle in adapting the game: 'It's a tricky adaptation, so there's lots of things to figure out and to get right. There's regime changes at Netflix, and so things stall out and get re-energized and stall out and get re-energized, and I think we're in a pretty good place, honestly.'
Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter shared that 'David Leitch is in negotiations to helm Gears of War.' Leitch, who is best known for 'The Fall Guy,' 'Atomic Blonde,' and 'Bullet Train', has a knack for slick, stylized action, which makes him a solid pick for the franchise. Netflix hasn't commented on the deal just yet, but Leitch and his wife/producing partner Kelly McCormick are also expected to produce the movie alongside The Coalition.
These aren't massive updates, but they confirm one crucial thing: both adaptations are still alive and moving forward. And being such a huge fan of 'Bioshock' and 'Gears of War,' I can't deny that my excitement is growing.
I think most of us can agree that video game adaptations are usually hit or miss. Just look at movies like 'Tomb Raider,' 'Warcraft,' and the recent 'Until Dawn' — more often than not, they just don't land. And there are plenty more where those came from, but we'd be here all day if I tried to list them all.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
On the flip side, 'The Last of Us,' 'Fallout,' 'The Witcher,' and even 'Halo' have actually done really well. What do they all have in common? They're TV shows. I've said for a while now that video game adaptations tend to fare better in a show format as there's simply more time to flesh out the world and dive deep into the characters.
That's a big reason why blockbuster versions often fail. Which is exactly why I'm a little nervous about 'Bioshock' and 'Gears of War' getting the Netflix movie treatment.
It's not that I don't believe in the talent behind these projects, because they're more than capable of telling great stories. It's just that the worlds in these games are so massive and detailed, I can see how tough it would be to translate them to live-action.
The underwater city of Rapture and the fictional planet Sera are practically characters themselves. Their scale and intricate lore would be incredibly difficult (if not impossible) to fully capture in live-action without losing what makes them special. Honestly, maybe some games just aren't meant for that format. I'd be just as happy seeing them adapted as adult animated series instead.
Since Netflix first confirmed a 'Bioshock' movie back in 2022, quite a few things have changed, and that includes the budget. During a panel at San Diego Comic-Con, producer Roy Lee said: 'The new regime has lowered the budgets. So we're doing a much smaller version. It's going to be a more personal point of view, as opposed to a grander, big project.'
The limited budget does have me a bit concerned that it could limit the movie's ability to fully bring this world to life, possibly making it feel less immersive. Still, I'm holding onto some hope, especially knowing that Lawrence has drawn inspiration from 'The Shining' for this 'BioShock' adaptation.
As I mentioned earlier, TV shows clearly tend to work better. And while Netflix is adapting 'Gears of War' into a movie, it's also developing an animated series which I'm much more optimistic about. There aren't any details yet, but I'm confident the show will do a lot better than the live-action take.
All that said, I'm still genuinely excited for these movies, even if I'm a little hesitant because these games are some of my absolute favorites. Honestly, I'd rather wait a few more years if it means they get the focus and polish they deserve. Netflix, I just have one wish: Would you kindly do these video game adaptations justice?
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Fox News
38 minutes ago
- Fox News
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry face ‘pitiful plummet in popularity' as they reportedly lose Netflix deal: expert
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's five-year Netflix deal will likely expire quietly, experts tell Fox News Digital following reports it won't be renewed. "There are whispers that Harry and Meghan's Netflix deal will expire quietly. I can't imagine that either party would want to shout this news over the rooftops. They will hope it's a smooth transition," British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard tells Fox News Digital. She says the Sussexes' "star attraction has taken a nose dive." The royal couple signed the five-year deal with Netflix in 2020, shortly after they stepped down as senior royals and left the U.K. Their debut docuseries "Harry & Meghan" remains the streaming platform's most-watched debut, according to People magazine, but their other series such as "With Love, Meghan" and "Heart of Invictus" haven't fared as well. "The majority of their material has received poor viewing figures and there doesn't seem to be suitable appeal for any new productions starring the duo," Chard adds. "The court of public opinion is key here. The public do not feel kindly toward them. They trashed their family, created a huge amount of damage and monetized off of the back of the attacks." Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner tells Fox News Digital that the loss of the Netflix deal will be a "major blow" for the couple and could incentivize them to move back to the U.K. as has been a rumored consideration recently. "They obviously have a lavish lifestyle, and it was always thought that Netflix saw the duo as the jewel in the crown for their platform," he says. He adds that "Meghan has become the Harry Houdini in sorting out financial safety," and "other platforms of equal note may make counteroffers. They are certainly not down and out yet." Indeed, even if the Netflix deal isn't renewed this September, the second season of Markle's lifestyle series "With Love, Meghan" will be premiering around the same time and the couple could be poised to sign a first-look deal with the platform for any projects they have on the horizon. Royal expert Hilary Fordwich agrees that Netflix would prefer the contract quietly expire. "Cancellation is a proper response to ghastly ratings since the only project they produced with financial benefit to Netflix was their initial mudslinging at the royal family docuseries 'Harry & Meghan,'" she says. "It was rather foolish to have filmed two seasons without even waiting to inculcate the audience response to the first season of MM's lifestyle show [With Love, Meghan]." She adds that audiences were "more interested in lurid royal betrayals than actually anything to do with the couple or high ratings would have continued. Public fascination was merely driven by the controversy and inside royal details being spewed, but neither H nor M themselves have proven to be of interest… Their betrayal of their own family was tasteless and tacky. This negative sentiment was also felt on both sides of the Atlantic, given their pitiful plummet in popularity. " Markle has recently seen success with the launch of her lifestyle brand As Ever, which has repeatedly sold out of its limited featured products such as candles and jam. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams says he sees Netflix's partnership in As Ever as the only reason the platform would want to renew part of the deal. "Their CEO Ted Sarandos did praise Meghan relatively recently, but he hadn't seen the terrible ratings which showed 'With Love, Meghan,' her much-touted cookery series, had been almost totally ignored by viewers," he says. Fitzwilliams says the couple were warned that Harry's "Polo" documentary wouldn't do well because it's an "elitist" sport, and although "Heart of Invictus" was "worthy," it was "never likely to draw in the crowds." "What did was 'Harry & Meghan,' the six-part docuseries which trashed the royal family," he says. "That, it seems, is all they have to offer. 'With Love, Meghan' series 2, was unwisely filmed back to back with the first and almost certainly will flop." He adds, "Without the reported $100 million contract with Netflix, having been dropped by Spotify and with no plans to do further podcasts in the 'Confessions of a Female Founder' series, the Sussexes hopes rest on Meghan making a success of As Ever. This leaves Harry with little to do. If they don't exploit their royal connections, it will emphasize yet again that the Sussexes have precious little to offer and this will be humiliating." Fox News Digital has reached out to Archewell and Netflix for comment.


Boston Globe
3 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald on how Adam Sandler's ‘Happy Gilmore' changed golf
From left: Christopher McDonald and Adam Sandler in "Happy Gilmore 2." Scott Yamano/Netflix In the original film, Sandler played the brash and anger-prone titular character, a former hockey player who dreamed of playing for his beloved Boston Bruins, but found that his slap-shot skills were better suited for the back nine. Trying to raise money to save his grandmother's Connecticut home, Sandler's Happy turned into an unlikely pro-golf star, with his unorthodox play and feisty demeanor drawing a whole new (and wild) fanbase to the game. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up ''Happy Gilmore' the movie and Happy Gilmore the character gave this kind of cool, weird cachet to golf,' said Julie Bowen, 55, who reprises her role from the original film as Happy's love interest, Virginia Venit. She added, in a recent Zoom interview, 'There's a little bit of that rock 'n' roll rebel attitude that I guess it turns out we all want to claim for our own, even the golf world.' Advertisement Julie Bowen in "Happy Gilmore 2." Courtesy of Netflix Advertisement Set decades after the first film, the sequel features Happy now married to Virginia, with a big family of kids. But after stepping away from golf, Happy is forced to pick up his clubs again to win enough money to pay for the prestigious ballet school his daughter Vienna (played by Sandler's real-life daughter Sunny) wants to attend. While the original film poked fun at the sport and its old-fashioned conventions, golfers new and old have embraced 'Happy Gilmore' since it hit the big screen nearly three decades ago, with a who's who list of legends and today's stars lining up for parts in the sequel, including Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Lee Trevino, and even the great Jack Nicklaus. McDonald recalled his first day on set, where he wanted to just stop by and 'get a lay of the land,' which happened to be when a lot of current and former golf pros were filming a scene. 'They're all sitting there, and I waited for a break and I walked in, and then all of a sudden they all looked at me and went, 'Shooter!',' said McDonald. 'It was one of those magic moments that I wish I could encapsulate, but it'll always be in my mind.' 'I would sit down and talk to Jack Nicklaus, I mean come on, for like an hour,' he added. 'He was the nicest guy in the world, giving me tips here and there and just talking about his career.' From left: Adam Sandler and Rory McIlroy on the set of "Happy Gilmore 2." Scott Yamano/Netflix The list of celebrity cameos goes beyond golf to include Eminem, Margaret Qualley, Post Malone, Travis Kelce, and Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio (a.k.a. Bad Bunny). Advertisement Tim Herlihy, who co-wrote the first film with Sandler, also co-wrote 'Happy Gilmore 2' with the New Hampshire-raised comic. Dennis Dugan, who directed the original, reprises his role as golf tour commissioner Doug Thompson in the sequel, which is directed by Kyle Newacheck. Other returning faces include Ben Stiller as the wacky orderly Hal L. Having worked with Sandler on the original film and more recently on the 2020 Salem-set comedy 'It's a boyish enthusiasm and something that was evident from the first 'Happy Gilmore,'' said Bowen. 'He's really collaborative and fun to work with and become only more so over the years.' 'He's got that director's head at all times, and if a scene is not working … he'll go, 'How do we make this better? Let's change that. Let's do this',' said McDonald. Adam Sandler in "Happy Gilmore 2." Courtesy of Netflix Bowen, a Brown University graduate, said Sandler's mix of heart, humor, and rage made Happy's angry New Englander persona memorable. 'There's something really lovely and raw and real about people that lead from the heart like that,' she said. The actress described the new film as 'a little bit more sad and heartfelt' than the first movie, but with a big focus on family, which is no surprise as Sandler is 'a dad first and foremost' whose happy place is with his loved ones, according to Bowen. In addition to his daughter Sunny, Sandler's other daughter Sadie and wife Jackie have roles in the film. 'He says he's happy that [his daughters have] gotten into acting, I'm like, did they have a choice?,' Bowen joked. 'They grew up on a set because he loves being with them.' Advertisement 'He really wanted to bring in his life experience and highlight how important family is to him,' she added. 'And that's a no-brainer for me. I mean, my kids own me, you know, and he gets that. So being surrounded by all the kids, piles of kids, it was just pure joy.' McDonald, who got his start in acting at the Charles Playhouse in Boston after graduating college ('It all started in Beantown, baby!' he quipped), said that, even after all these years in the business and hundreds of credits to his name, Shooter is still the role he gets recognized for the most. Christopher McDonald in "Happy Gilmore 2." Courtesy of Netflix 'To this day, I mean, I can't walk through an airport or walk down the street in New York or in Boston, and I'll hear, 'Shooter!' And I give them the old thing,' McDonald said. 'It's really a joy, and I'm glad I'm back, and I'm over the moon about how it turned out.' 'Happy Gilmore 2 ' premieres Friday on Netflix. Matt Juul can be reached at


New York Times
3 hours ago
- New York Times
For Late Night, Epstein-Trump Is the Comedy Gift That Keeps On Giving
Welcome to Best of Late Night, a rundown of the previous night's highlights that lets you sleep — and lets us get paid to watch comedy. Here are the 50 best movies on Netflix right now. The Hits Keep Coming New footage of Jeffrey Epstein being questioned by the government in 2010 emerged this week — 'and you'll never guess whose name came up,' Josh Johnson said on Thursday. 'Go ahead — guess.' In the video, the multimillionaire financier and convicted sex offender is asked if he'd ever 'socialized with Donald Trump in the presence of females under the age of 18,' and responds by asserting his Fifth, Sixth and 14th Amendment rights. 'I'm going to put that down as a 'yes,'' Johnson said. 'I'll be honest, I've never heard anybody plead anything other than the Fifth before. But this guy's so guilty, he's calling out every amendment he can think of, like, 'No, no, no, what's the one with the women voting? Uh, 19th? Throw that in, too.'' — JOSH JOHNSON 'Wow. Not a great sign when the pedophile is being asked if you're doing a pervert ride-along, and their response is, 'I'd like to invoke the entire Constitution, the Magna Carta, the Napoleonic Code, and just to cover my bases, let's throw in the entire Cheesecake Factory menu.' — STEPHEN COLBERT 'So, we don't know if he was doin' the creepy crimin', but we do have a cover-up. And just like the cover-up on his face, it is patchy, and there's something really ugly under there.' — STEPHEN COLBERT 'Jeffrey Epstein died back in 2019, but not since Tupac Shakur has a dead man dropped so many bangers.' — JOSH JOHNSON Want all of The Times? Subscribe.