By Stefan Pape
The Angry Birds Movie (out now)
As the very first production based entirely on a smartphone app, The Angry Birds Movie represents a whole new era for video game adaptations. Given the game is somewhat loose on narrative, the film merely uses the notion of flightless birds resenting life to build a story from. But fear not, we still see them catapulted into a sea of menacing looking green pigs kamikaze-style. With Jason Sudeikis, Peter Dinklage and even Sean Penn on board, the voice cast is emblematic of an accomplished piece of cinema that should ensure Angry Birds doesn't lead to angry nerds.
The Angry Birds Movie (out now)
As the very first production based entirely on a smartphone app, The Angry Birds Movie represents a whole new era for video game adaptations. Given the game is somewhat loose on narrative, the film merely uses the notion of flightless birds resenting life to build a story from. But fear not, we still see them catapulted into a sea of menacing looking green pigs kamikaze-style. With Jason Sudeikis, Peter Dinklage and even Sean Penn on board, the voice cast is emblematic of an accomplished piece of cinema that should ensure Angry Birds doesn't lead to angry nerds.
Warcraft: The Beginning (out now)
Azeroth has been the regular stomping ground for many a gamer across the past two decades, and finally we're set to see this world fully realised on the big screen as a hugely ambitious project helmed by Duncan Jones, in his first movie since Source Code back in 2011. Assembling an all-star cast featuring Travis Fimmel, Ben Foster, Paula Patton and Dominic Cooper, many of the stars even had to learn a newly invented dialect, and as the title suggests, this film could be the first of many – so perhaps one day we'll all be speaking Orcish.
Azeroth has been the regular stomping ground for many a gamer across the past two decades, and finally we're set to see this world fully realised on the big screen as a hugely ambitious project helmed by Duncan Jones, in his first movie since Source Code back in 2011. Assembling an all-star cast featuring Travis Fimmel, Ben Foster, Paula Patton and Dominic Cooper, many of the stars even had to learn a newly invented dialect, and as the title suggests, this film could be the first of many – so perhaps one day we'll all be speaking Orcish.
Assassin's Creed (out December 21)
Having taken on the roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth respectively, Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard return to collaborate once more in something rather different, bringing Assassin's Creed to life. Director Justin Kurzel (also behind the recent retelling of Shakespeare's classic) has set the film in the same universe to the one we know and love, focusing in on a newly created character called Callum Lynch, a descendant of Aguilar, a 15th century assassin. As the games provide such compelling cut scenes, it gives us much hope the film will make for a truly captivating watch.
Having taken on the roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth respectively, Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard return to collaborate once more in something rather different, bringing Assassin's Creed to life. Director Justin Kurzel (also behind the recent retelling of Shakespeare's classic) has set the film in the same universe to the one we know and love, focusing in on a newly created character called Callum Lynch, a descendant of Aguilar, a 15th century assassin. As the games provide such compelling cut scenes, it gives us much hope the film will make for a truly captivating watch.
Splinter Cell (out 2017)
The joy to Splinter Cell is, and always has been, the notion of stealth; to do all we can to not be seen or heard by the game's antagonists. The Hitman franchise revels in a similar capacity, which has already spawned two cinematic endeavours, and now it's the turn of the Tom Clancy creation to triumph – and with Tom Hardy attached to play the lead role of Sam Fisher, early signs are rather promising to say the least.
The joy to Splinter Cell is, and always has been, the notion of stealth; to do all we can to not be seen or heard by the game's antagonists. The Hitman franchise revels in a similar capacity, which has already spawned two cinematic endeavours, and now it's the turn of the Tom Clancy creation to triumph – and with Tom Hardy attached to play the lead role of Sam Fisher, early signs are rather promising to say the least.
Metal Gear Solid (out 2017)
The only thing that’s perplexing about the idea of a Metal Gear Solid film is why it’s taken so long to come to fruition. Having sold over 30 million copies since its initial 1998 release, there's an established audience in place, waiting fervently to see Solid Snake on the big screen. The project, however, remains as elusive as our protagonist, but what we do know is that Jordan Vogt-Roberts is on board to direct. Having come to our attention with Sundance favourite Kings of Summer, he'll be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Colin Trevorrow and Gareth Edwards in making the successful leap from indie to blockbuster.
The only thing that’s perplexing about the idea of a Metal Gear Solid film is why it’s taken so long to come to fruition. Having sold over 30 million copies since its initial 1998 release, there's an established audience in place, waiting fervently to see Solid Snake on the big screen. The project, however, remains as elusive as our protagonist, but what we do know is that Jordan Vogt-Roberts is on board to direct. Having come to our attention with Sundance favourite Kings of Summer, he'll be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Colin Trevorrow and Gareth Edwards in making the successful leap from indie to blockbuster.
