2023 feels like it will be the year of the video game adaptation. The Last Of Us arrived this week - and it is brilliant - but there are plenty more movies and shows based on hit games arriving over the next 12 months, starting with...
TETRIS - March TBD - Apple TV+
Not so much a movie about falling blocks, as the story behind the folks who made (or maybe just claimed to make) the iconic puzzle game, which definitely sounds like it has a similar vibe to The Social Network to us. From the director of 2018's under-seen gem Stan & Ollie, the impressive cast includes Taron Egerton, Toby Jones, Ben Miles, Anthony Boyle and Rick Yune.
THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE - April 7 - Cinemas
Nintendo never let Hollywood touch its games again after 1993's legendary disastrous live-action adaptation of this property. 30 years on, this animated version looks like a much safer bet. From the folks behind the Despicable Me movies, the impressive voice-cast includes Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black and Seth Rogen.
GRAN TURISMO - August 11 - Cinemas
Neill Blomkamp (District 9, Chappie) directs this actual true story of a video game player who was so good at winning Gran Turismo video game competitions, that he was invited to become an actual, professional race car driver. Orlando Bloom, David Harbour, Geri Halliwell and Djimon Hounsou star.
BORDERLANDS - TBC - Cinemas
From the same guy who wrote the adaptation for The Last Of Us, we've got Cate Blanchett, Jack Black, Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Hart starring in this epic action sci-fi revolving around the search for the missing daughter of the universe's most dangerous killer. Eli Roth (Cabin Fever, Hostel) directs, with additional scenes provided by Tim Miller (Deadpool, Terminator: Dark Fate).
HALO SEASON 2 - TBC - Paramount+
Pablo Schreiber will return as Master Chief for the decently-received Halo live-action games series. 70% on Rotten Tomatoes and some praise for the show's sense of scale and action (if not exactly setting the world on fire in terms of originality), here's hoping they take the training wheels off and go hell for the leather for the second season.
TWISTED METAL - TBC - Peacock
The absolutely bonkers action driving series has the writers of Zombieland and Deadpool behind it, with Anthony Mackie as the John Doe who accepts the mission to deliver a package across a post-apocalyptic wasteland, behind chased by vehicle-bound murderers and marauders along the way. So... The Last Of Us meets Mad Max: Fury Road? Stephanie Beatriz, Neve Campbell and Will Arnett also feature in the cast. The show will arrive on Peacock in the States, with no confirmed platform for Ireland and the UK just yet.
THE WITCHER SEASON 3 - TBC - Netflix
After Henry Cavill reportedly left the show to focus full-time on returning as Superman (which then fell through), this will be his last season as Geralt of Rivia, before being replaced by Liam Hemsworth in the upcoming fourth season. Although how much interest will remain in light of Cavill's impending departure, not to mention the fact that the spin-off resulted in Netflix's new "worst reviewed" series of all time, will remain to be seen.
