Following the successful cinematic adaptations of Uncharted and 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-led Uncharted movie, have managed to achieve significant box office success, grossing over $400 million.
Despite the diminishing "video game curse," challenges remain in creating faithful adaptations. The Uncharted movie, while successful, did not meet fans' expectations for staying true to the original games. Similarly, recent adaptations like the Borderlands film and Amazon's Like a Dragon: Yakuza series have faced criticism for straying too far from their source material, resulting in poor critical and box office performance. These examples highlight a broader issue with adaptations, as seen with Netflix's The Witcher, which has significantly altered its source material, often to the disappointment of fans.
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 met with mixed reactions from fans, who were eager for a story that closely followed the original game's success and featured its iconic robotic creatures. Fortunately, the Netflix project is no longer in development, and Horizon is now being adapted into a feature film. This shift to cinema is a strategic move, as the larger budget will help bring the game's stunning visuals to life.
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 shows like 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 Zero Dawn, which won the Best Narrative award at The Game Awards in 2017 and the Outstanding Achievement in Story at the 2018 DICE awards, deserves the same respect for its compelling story.
Set in 31st century North America, Horizon Zero Dawn 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 who looks strikingly like her. The game's world is rich with intricate communities and settlements, providing a fertile ground for a cinematic 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 the robotic creatures that roam the Earth. The game's combat encounters, featuring creatures like Sawtooths, Tallnecks, and Stormbirds, offer visually stunning action sequences that could translate well to the big screen.
Horizon's story is inherently cinematic and, if adapted faithfully, has the potential to be a critical and commercial success. The game's unique world, timely themes, and fresh aesthetic set it apart from other franchises. With the expansive narrative of Forbidden West, there's ample material for a long-term cinematic franchise. If Sony can maintain the elements that made the game successful, Horizon has the potential to match the success of its source material, which has captivated gamers across two generations of PlayStation consoles.
As Sony plans to adapt more titles like Ghost of Tsushima and Helldivers 2 into film and TV franchises, a faithful approach to Horizon could set a precedent for success in this new medium. However, deviating from what made Horizon great could lead to negative fan feedback and financial difficulties, as seen with other adaptations. It's crucial for Sony and its chosen writers and directors to recognize the value of Horizon and stay true to its essence.
