New Showrunner for "God of War" Series
The "God of War" series consists of nine games
Since the successful series "Fallout", Amazon has been one of the big names when it comes to video game adaptations. "God of War" is also set to be made into a series, although the production had to deal with a number of problems. But now things are looking positive again, as a new showrunner has been confirmed.
According to Deadline, the man in question is Ronald D. Moore, known for "Outlander" and "For All Mankind". With Moore as showrunner, the "God of War" series is to be assigned a new creative direction after the original team quit the project. In addition to Moore, Cory Barlog, who worked on the same-named game in 2018, will also be involved.
The "God of War" series now consists of nine games and was originally launched on the PlayStation 2 in 2005. The games take us into an ancient world full of Gods, titans and mythical creatures. The focus is on the demigod Kratos, who murdered his own family through being tricked by Ares, the God of War, and has been consumed by revenge ever since.
Over the course of the games, Kratos becomes embroiled in the machinations of the Gods and fights his way from the underworld all the way up to Olympus. With the reboot of the series released in 2018, the storyline shifted from Greek to Norse mythology. The focus also moved to the relationship between Kratos and his son Atreus, which plays a central role in the new orientation. It is not yet known which storyline the series will pick up on. The release date and cast are equally unknown.
The Top 10 Most Successful Video Game Adaptations of All Time
Video game adaptations have a long and turbulent history in the film business. Many of these adaptations have failed to achieve the critical or financial success that fans had hoped for. But in recent years, things have changed. There are a number of films that have not only been successful at the box office, but have also helped redefine the medium of video game adaptations. Here are some of the most successful examples:
1. "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" (2023) - 1.36 Billion US dollars
The animated film "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" from 2023, produced by Illumination Entertainment and Nintendo, is one of the most successful video game adaptations of all time. With iconic characters such as Mario, Luigi and Bowser, the film not only appealed to fans of the games, but also to a wide, family-friendly audience. The movie was a true success story, earning over 1.36 billion US dollars globally. The colorful animation, attention to detail and incorporation of many elements of the video games made this movie a huge success and set new standards for future video game adaptations.
2. "Pokémon Detective Pikachu" (2019) - 450 Million US Dollars
"Pokémon Detective Pikachu", based on the Pokémon franchise, surprised both fans and critics alike. With Ryan Reynolds as the voice of Pikachu and a mixture of live action and CGI, the movie made 450 million US dollars worldwide. The Pokémon world was brought to life in a spectacular way, and the film showed that a successful mix of humor, nostalgia and a captivating plot can take video game adaptations to a new level.
3. "Warcraft" (2016) - 439 Million US Dollars
The movie adaptation of the popular online role-playing game "World of Warcraft" by Blizzard Entertainment was another major sensation in the world of video game adaptations. The movie, which was directed by Duncan Jones, achieved worldwide box office takings of 439 million US dollars and was a huge success in China in particular. While "Warcraft" was only moderately successful in the United States, the film showed the potential of international markets, in particular with a strong global fan base.
4. "Rampage" (2018) - 428 Million US Dollars
"Rampage", based on the 1980s arcade game of the same name, surprised many with its unexpectedly huge success. The film, which is considered a loose adaptation of the game, stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as giant monsters destroy the city. With a mixture of action, humor and impressive visual effects, the movie grossed 428 million US dollars at the global box office. Although "Rampage" was not a profound piece of work, it offered exactly the kind of spectacular entertainment that audiences appreciate.
5. "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" (2022) - 405 Million US Dollars
Following the success of the first film, "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" continued the adventures of the speedy blue hedgehog in 2022. With new characters such as Tails and the baddie Knuckles, who was voiced by Idris Elba, the movie once again enjoyed great success. The movie grossed 405 million US dollars around the world and built on the success of the first part. The mixture of humorous action and nostalgic elements catered to the tastes of fans of the original games and a younger audience with equal measure.
6. "Uncharted" (2022) - 407 Million US Dollars
The film adaptation of the action-packed adventure game "Uncharted", starring Tom Holland as treasure hunter Nathan Drake, was another huge success in the video game genre. The movie combined thrilling action sequences with breathtaking locations and grossed 407 million US dollars at the global box office. Although the reviews were mixed, "Uncharted" was able to attract a wide audience thanks to its amazing cast and the popularity of the game series.
7. "Angry Birds" (2016) - 352 Million US Dollars
The movie adaptation of the popular mobile game "Angry Birds" surprised many critics and was a huge success at the box office. The movie generated 352 million US dollars worldwide and brought the colorful birds fighting nasty pigs to the big screen in a humorous and family-friendly way. With a colorful and funny storyline, "The Angry Birds Movie" not only thrilled young viewers, but also fans of the game.
8. "Prince of Persia" (2010) - 336 Million US Dollars
"Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, brought Jake Gyllenhaal to the big screen as the eponymous prince. The movie is based on the successful action-adventure game series from Ubisoft and tells the story of a prince who can control time with the help of a magical dagger. Despite mixed reviews, the film managed to gross 336 million US dollars globally, making it one of the most successful video game adaptations. The action sequences and visual effects were particularly praised, while the plot was sometimes perceived as weak.
9. "Sonic the Hedgehog" (2020) - 319 Million US Dollars
When "Sonic the Hedgehog" was released in 2020, there was a lot of doubt - especially after the original critique of the eponymous character's design, which was completely revised after the first trailer. But in the end, the movie proved to be a hit, grossing 319 million US dollars worldwide. The lightning-fast blue hedgehog from the popular Sega series won over fans in this humorous and action-packed film adaptation, and Jim Carrey's performance as the villain Dr. Robotnik was especially praised. The success led to a sequel, "Sonic the Hedgehog 2", mentioned above, which was even more of a success.
10. "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter" (2016) - 312 Million US Dollars
The "Resident Evil" series, which is based on the survival horror game of the same name, has become a true cinematic phenomenon over the years. The sixth and final installment of the series, "Resident Evil: The Final Chapter", brought in 312 million US dollars worldwide. Milla Jovovich returned in her role as Alice to face the zombies and mutants one last time. Despite the deviations from the games, particularly in the story, the movie series found its own style and was able to count on a loyal fan base worldwide.
