Actor and comic Jack Black is in disbelief that somebody has but to craft movie variations for Rockstar Video games’ iconic franchises, most notably Grand Theft Auto and Pink Useless Redemption.
In an interview with Whole Movie to debate his function as Claptrap in Eli Roth’s upcoming movie based mostly on the Borderlands franchise, the outlet requested Black what video games he want to see tailored for the large display. Black defined how he was shocked nobody has but to make a movie adaptation of any of Rockstar Video games IPs earlier than explicitly calling out Grand Theft Auto and Pink Useless Redemption.
“I can not imagine they have not already began making a film of any of the Rockstar Video games – Grand Theft Auto, however particularly Pink Useless Redemption,” Black defined. “These issues are already like motion pictures, ? I assume that is the factor. Some video video games are already midway there to telling these sort of tales, and there are some motion pictures which can be like video video games.”
Black’s incredulity is unsurprising, as many followers of the writer doubtless share that sentiment. During the last 25 years, Rockstar has performed an influential function in altering the panorama of the gaming business, notably action-adventure video games set in an open world. Whereas Rockstar has a strong portfolio of video games, together with Max Payne, Midnight Membership, and Bully, Grand Theft Auto and Pink Useless Redemption are undoubtedly essentially the most well-known IPs out of the Rockstar Video games banner.
Particularly Grand Theft Auto, which has a number of sequels and spinoffs; its most up-to-date entry, GTA 5, is arguably essentially the most profitable because it produced a profitable on-line mannequin, revamped $8.5 billion in income (the primary $1 billion was accrued within the first three days of its preliminary launch in 2013) and has bought over 195 million models. Although the sequel, GTA 6, is just not due till someday subsequent yr, anticipation for it’s excessive, with the primary trailer changing into the most-viewed online game reveal on YouTube inside 24 hours.
Regardless of Grand Theft Auto’s success, Rockstar seems tired of adapting the franchise right into a film. In 2019, Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick defined to TheWrap why making the movie was unlikely, stating that the Rockstar Video games mother or father firm would wish to have “full management” to make sure the movie is expressed the way in which it envisions. In 2022, Rockstar Video games co-founder Sam Houser disclosed in an interview with the BBC Radio 5 Stay podcast that he rejected a pitch for a GTA film that might have starred rapper Eminem. And, as talked about earlier than, the GTA video games are so worthwhile for the corporate that Zelnick stated late final yr throughout an investor name that it was not price pursuing one other medium for the IP.
Whereas motion pictures based mostly on online game franchises have largely left a lot to be desired, lately, online game followers have been handled with a number of profitable Hollywood variations. A couple of notable examples embody Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog and Illumination’s Tremendous Mario Bros. Film. The previous launched a sequel in 2022 and presently has a 3rd movie due later this yr, whereas the latter was one of many highest-grossing motion pictures final yr, surpassing $1 billion on the international field workplace with a sequel presently in improvement with a launch window set for April 2026.
Picture Credit score: Lisa Maree Williams / Stringer / Getty Pictures
Taylor is a Reporter at IGN. You may observe her on Twitter @TayNixster.