Sydney Sweeney, known for her role in Madame Web, has been confirmed to star in the upcoming movie adaptation of Hazelight's game, Split Fiction. The project is being spearheaded by Story Kitchen, the studio behind the successful Sonic films, which has now enlisted Wicked director Jon M. Chu to helm the film. The screenplay is being crafted by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, the writers behind Deadpool & Wolverine. Story Kitchen is currently shopping this promising talent package to Hollywood studios, anticipating a competitive bidding war.
The role Sydney Sweeney will take on in Split Fiction—either Zoe or Mio—remains undecided, adding an element of anticipation to the project. Split Fiction, which only launched in March, has already proven to be a massive success for Hazelight and its designer Josef Fares, selling over 2 million copies within a week of release. It is also slated to be a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2.
IGN's review of Split Fiction awarded it a 9/10, praising its "expertly crafted co-op adventure that pinballs from one genre extreme to another," highlighting its innovative gameplay and compelling style.
This isn't the only Hazelight game making the leap to the big screen. It Takes Two, which sold an impressive 23 million copies, is also being adapted into a film, with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson potentially starring. While there's always a chance these projects may not come to fruition, the current success of video game adaptations suggests a strong likelihood of these films moving forward.
Story Kitchen's portfolio extends beyond Split Fiction. Last year, they announced a film adaptation of Square Enix's Just Cause, with Blue Beetle director Ángel Manuel Soto attached. They are also working on adaptations of Dredge: The Movie, Kingmakers, Sleeping Dogs, and even a live-action Toys 'R' Us movie.
Meanwhile, Hazelight is not resting on its laurels and is already teasing its next game project.
Sydney Sweeney is set to star in the Split Fiction movie. Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for CinemaCon.
