Metal Gear Solid Movie: Exciting News for the 39-Year-Old Sci-Fi Saga!

Could it be happening at last? Created in 1987 by the now-legendary Hideo Kojima, the “Metal Gear” series has been a long-time target for Hollywood adaptation. This is hardly surprising given Hollywood’s penchant for adapting pre-known entities, but also because the games released since “Metal Gear Solid” in 1998 are inherently cinematic.

In May 2006, Hideo Kojima announced that a film project was in the works, unaware of the lengthy process ahead, as the film never really got off the ground. For a while, Kurt Wimmer, the director of Equilibrium, was rumored to be involved, but that fell through. Then there were whispers about Paul W.S. Anderson, known for his video game adaptations (though not necessarily for their success), showing interest, but again nothing concrete emerged.

Producer Michael De Luca later attributed the project’s stagnation to a lack of shared vision among the parties involved, as well as Konami’s fear of damaging the franchise with a film adaptation. However, like any persistent Hollywood rumor, the project resurfaced in 2012: Hideo Kojima expressed his desire to cast Hugh Jackman as the lead and hinted at meetings with J.J. Abrams, though producer Avi Arad (Spider-Man) disagreed.

By 2014, “Metal Gear Solid” seemed poised to finally take off with Jordan Vogt-Roberts, future director of Kong: Skull Island, set to direct. A screenwriter was attached in 2015, and Vogt-Roberts occasionally updated on the film’s progress and challenges. Then, in December 2020, Deadline reported that Oscar Isaac would star. Over five years later, the film remains unseen, and while we hadn’t lost all hope, it seemed like it might never happen.

A Solid Turn for Metal Gear?

According to a recent report by The Hollywood Reporter, the project is back on track, now with not one but two directors: Zack Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, who successfully revived the Final Destination series last year. As part of their new exclusive deal with Sony Pictures, which has held the adaptation rights from the start, the duo will attempt to translate this iconic game to the big screen.

While no further details have been released, it is expected that they will base the film on the 1998 “Metal Gear Solid” game, set in the near future (2005 at the time) and featuring Solid Snake, an elite soldier and infiltration expert tasked with destroying a nuclear-capable weapon of mass destruction. The story is much more intricate than this brief summary suggests, involving genetically modified soldiers among other complex elements.

Drawing inspiration from films like New York 1997 and its sequel Los Angeles 2013, and making its Solid Snake an obvious nod to Snake Plisken (and not just because of the name), as well as from Rambo, “Metal Gear Solid” was a revolutionary release on the Playstation. As the first 3D installment in the series, it captivated players with its immersive world, twist-filled plot, iconic characters, and a gameplay that favored stealth over brute force.

Who Will Play Solid Snake?

It’s clear why Hollywood would aim to adapt this game. The resurgence of video game adaptations in film and television, proven successful by titles like Super Mario Galaxy, underscores this. However, we shouldn’t declare victory just yet, given the film’s tumultuous development history. Yet, hope is revived with this announcement, as is the concern that the film, expected to have a blockbuster budget, might not fully capture the grandeur of its source material, blending action, sci-fi, and espionage. We will be watching closely, especially to see who might step into the role of Solid Snake, as Oscar Isaac seems no longer involved.

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