How Should A Shadow Of The Colossus Film Be Adapted?

In what can only be thought of as a huge win for gamers and filmgoers alike, Sony Pictures recently signed Chronicle director Josh Trank to direct the film version of Team ICO’s critical hit Shadow of the Colossus. According to Deadline, the studio is currently looking for writers to work with the director in this visual effects-heavy production.

I’m not quite sure how Sony Pictures is going to translate the Shadow of the Colossus story into film as the game itself was a lonely experience throughout; with the horse Agro as the protagonist’s only companion. And what little (though powerful and provocative) story the game did have was found at the beginning and end of the adventure.

If the production is going to be visual-effects heavy, then I can see it translated as a Wrath of the Titans-type David vs. Goliath extravaganza. Though that depends on how much money Sony is willing to spend on the production. Given that film executives and writers/directors (in the past) have butchered game adaptations to “cater” to the film-going masses, and failing horribly, there’s trepidation within the gaming community on the direction and story of the film itself.

As well, video game films tend to star big name actors to again attract non-gamers into theatres. However, some actors are so big that their names and star power overpower their characters. It would serve the film to star a relatively new face, an experienced actor is a must of course, but one whose name and face isn’t plastered on every website, tabloid, or entertainment news for some celebrity sextape/drug abuse/crazy film-set tirade-con meltdown.

On the other hand, the film Chronicle was a hit in the box office and showed that Trank could tell great, personal stories with a very limited budget, so while the game-to-film adaptation is a big gamble, him being the SotC director could potentially give Sony a new, successful film franchise.

It seems Sony is intent on translating their bigger video game franchises into film these days. From Twisted Metal, to Uncharted, and now Shadow of the Colossus, the media conglomerate is setting the stage from a brand new era of game-to-film adaptations. Ones that are hopefully of higher quality than the Uwe Boll “should-be-on-DVD-but-is-in-theatres” game-to-film adaptations that gamers have been forced to watch over the last decade.

Kevin Misher, producer of such films as Public Enemies and The Scorpion King is also set to produce Shadow of the Colossus. There’s no word on release dates or shooting schedules as of this writing.

If you were to make a Shadow of the Colossus film, how would you go about adapting it?