With comic books just about fully tapped, Hollywood has started to turn to videogames more and more for properties to adapt: just this year we have Warcraft and Assassin’s Creed. But instead of just going after the biggest, most popular games, this latest movie deal may be proof that some Hollywood execs have done their homework on which games offer the best storytelling potential for films.
Firewatch developers Campo Santo have teamed up with Good Universe, the production company behind 50/50 and Neighbors, to “develop content for both video games and feature films,” according to THR. A film adaptation of Firewatch will be the first project under the new deal.
Campo Santo’s co-founder and co-director of Firewatch Sean Vanaman said:
When we met Good Universe we were floored by how they recognize, cultivate and produce incredible stories. It’s rare you meet another group that shares so many of your values and makes the process of creating things even more exciting. We can’t wait to see what we make together.
The feeling seems to be mutual, with Good Universe founder Joseph Drake saying, “Finding extraordinary content is incredibly exciting and with the Campo Santo team, we felt an immediate simpatico with their utterly beguiling storytelling and amazing creative instincts.”
Firewatch is a great pick for a movie adaptation, having some of the best characters and storytelling gaming has seen in years, but it is surprising to see a small indie studio getting a film deal after just their first release as a team. Plus, Good Universe can produce the movie on a relatively low budget, mitigating the risk of another Warcraft-style box-office bomb, and if the movie is a success, it could raise the profile of both companies. It’s win-win all around.
According to THR, the team-up will produce projects that “bridge both the video game and feature film worlds,” though the exact meaning of that is still unclear. Will every Campo Santo game get a movie adaptation? Are the devs going to produce videogames based on Good Universe properties?
However things shake out, it’s great to see a talented group of independent developers get some recognition for their work. You can start fan-casting the Firewatch movie now.