Following the successful cinematic adaptations of Uncharted and the critically acclaimed HBO series of The Last of Us, Sony has announced that Horizon Zero Dawn is set to make its way to the big screen. PlayStation Studios and Columbia Pictures have confirmed the development of a movie that will delve into Aloy's origin story and the game's captivating, machine-filled world. Although the project is still in its early stages, there's a strong belief that it could become Sony's first major video game success at the box office, provided it remains faithful to the source material.
Recent years have seen a surge in successful video game adaptations across both film and television. The Super Mario Brothers and Sonic movies have set a high bar for family-friendly adaptations, excelling in both critical acclaim and box office performance. On the small screen, Sony's The Last of Us has joined the ranks of fan favorites like Netflix's Arcane and Amazon Prime's Fallout. Even adaptations with mixed reviews, such as the Tom Holland-starring Uncharted movie, have managed to achieve significant box office success, grossing over $400 million.
However, the "video game curse" still lingers, with some adaptations failing to capture the essence of their source material. Uncharted, for instance, did not meet the expectations of fans hoping for a faithful adaptation. Similarly, last year's Borderlands film and Amazon's Like a Dragon: Yakuza series received poor reviews and underperformed at the box office due to their deviation from the original games' storylines, lore, and tone.
Horizon's unique robotic ecosystems would be incredible to witness on the big screen.
This issue extends beyond video game adaptations to adaptations in general. Netflix's The Witcher, for example, has taken significant liberties with its source material, altering the original books' events, characters, and tone. While adaptations often require changes to suit their new medium, these examples have transformed into something entirely different, often disappointing fans and signaling potential failure.
The Horizon movie isn't the first attempt to bring the franchise to screens. In 2022, Netflix announced a series based on the game, with rumors of a "Horizon 2074" project set in the pre-apocalypse era. This direction was controversial among fans who wanted a story true to the original game's success and its iconic robotic creatures. Fortunately, the Netflix project is no longer in development, and Horizon is now being adapted into a feature film. The increased budget of a Hollywood movie is crucial for realizing the game's visual potential, especially the heavy CGI required for its robotic ecosystems.
If Horizon receives the same careful adaptation as The Last of Us, there's no reason it can't be PlayStation's first major cinematic success. The success of Fallout, Arcane, and The Last of Us demonstrates the importance of staying true to the source material's visuals, tone, and story. The Last of Us, while introducing new storylines, largely adhered to the game's narrative structure, resonating with both fans and newcomers. Horizon, with its award-winning narrative, deserves the same treatment.
Horizon Zero Dawn won the Best Narrative award at The Game Awards in 2017 and the Outstanding Achievement in Story at the 2018 DICE awards, highlighting the high regard for its story. Set in 31st century North America, it follows Aloy, a member of the Nora Tribe, as she unravels the mystery of her origins and their connection to Elisabet Sobeck, a scientist from the old world. The game's world is rich with intricate communities and settlements, offering a compelling backdrop for a film franchise. Much like James Cameron's Avatar series, a Horizon film could explore the unique cultures and traditions of its tribes, such as the Nora, and their interactions with Earth's robotic hunters.
The unique cultures of Horizon's world could prove as compelling as Avatar's Na'vi tribes.
The game's combat encounters, featuring creatures like Sawtooths, Tallnecks, and Stormbirds, provide thrilling action and suspense that could translate well to the big screen. Alongside rival tribes and those loyal to the rogue AI Hades, these elements would offer exciting challenges for Aloy and her allies in a movie adaptation. Horizon's story is inherently cinematic and, if adapted faithfully, could be a resounding success both critically and at the box office.
With the expansive story of Forbidden West, there's a vast canvas for the franchise to explore, potentially setting up a long-term cinematic proposition for Sony. If the film can preserve the elements that made the game successful, it could pave the way for a compelling adaptation. As Sony plans to adapt more titles like Ghost of Tsushima and Helldivers 2, maintaining the integrity of the original games will be crucial for success in this new medium. Deviating from what made Horizon great could lead to negative fan feedback and financial difficulties, as seen with other adaptations. It's hoped that Sony, along with its chosen writers and directors, will recognize the value of Horizon and deliver an adaptation that does justice to the beloved game.
