Remember when, around three years ago, it seemed like every game under the sun was getting a film or TV adaptation? One such film was based on Hazelight's extremely successful co-op outing; It Takes Two. But since its Amazon-funded, The Rock-led existence was revealed, we've heard nothing. According to outspoken studio head Josef Fares, nothing is happening.
Talking to Eurogamer, Fares let rip in his trademark, refreshingly frank fashion: "Hollywood, there's so much bulls***. I think 90% of the meetings are actually bulls***, and 10% are what actually happens." Fares is still up for the project, and why wouldn't he be; still, the lack of movement must be frustrating. The Hazelight founder continued to lay into Hollywood's lackadaisical way of doing things:
"The thing is, there's a lot of talk but not a lot of walk. I don't know what's going on. Hopefully something. It would be cool to get something out of it, but my hopes are not so high. Obviously, there's a lot of talk, but you have to have the people that get shit done. If I would be really involved in it, it would happen. I just need a couple of months in LA, and I'll make it happen. I don't have the time... but I would make s*** happen. That's my job."
We'd love to be a fly on the wall in one of these hypothetical discussions, witnessing Fares knock film executives' heads in real time. Plus, how incredible would it be if a Hazelight film won an Oscar? Let us know what you think of all this in the comments section below.
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 8
Usually how it is. Most of the time they just buy the rights and sit on it for years.
@Frmknst because its about a movie adaptation which dosnt happen in every sector of every business..I get what you are saying but the context is clearly there for all to see.."Hollywood" not "Debenhams."
@PegasusActual93 Yup you have to get the right script, then find a director, then find a distributor to fund it. Not to mention the corporate shenanigans of going to EA for approval for every aspect.
Lemme guess, live action? Two decades of benching 2D feature animation in CGI's favour only for the latter to be repeatedly deemed commercially deficient in adaptations of something long produced on its basis in the first place? Learn marketing from corporate entertainment biz, they said...
@breakneck
A film adaptation seems like a relatively easy task (assuming it's made using CGI/Animation), so it's quite suprising it's in development hell.
I guess the powers that be in Hollywood don't understand how popular the game is and the goodwill it has due to the developer's support of the title.
OK, I am going against the grain here.... but... How the heck do you do a movie about 2 people spending their time in split screen doing jumping and sliding?
I suppose it would be relatively easy to make this an animated film (live action? I don't think so...) but what are you bringing to the party that would cause folks to want to see it?
I think Hazelight should just take it's option money and walk into the sunset.
Complaining about it will not make any Hollywood producer want to work with you.
I cannot think of anyone less equipped to embody the spirit of this game than the Rock
"F**k movies and the Oscars, but waaaah the movie based on my game is taking too long."
Also, look, I swear a lot, but for a writer Fares sure doesn't seem to know many words beyond s**t and f**k. At least spice it up with a c**t every now and then.
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