If you haven’t heard the news, Sony Interactive Entertainment has recently launched PlayStation Productions. It’s a brand new production studio that is planning to “mine the company’s extensive catalog of video game titles for film and television.”
We’ve seen tons of announcements of Sony franchises that are planning on getting film adaptations like Metal Gear Solid and The Last of Us, but this studio will be developing and producing everything in-house, because who knows PlayStation better than PlayStation?
Head of PlayStation Productions, Asad Qizilbash, mentioned that they are open in not only creating films, but they are open to television series as well if it fits the video game material.
We’re not entirely sure how it’s all going to pan out, but here are 5 PlayStation franchises that the new productions studio should adapt first.
Uncharted
The set-pieces, the compelling narrative, and the wonderfully developed cast of characters that are part of the Uncharted franchise are just asking to be adapted into a live-action format.
I know, we already have a live-action film adaptation of Uncharted in the works with Tom Holland starring as a younger version of Nathan Drake, but I think a new television series developed in-house from PlayStation would be brilliant.
Each episode could focus on a different character, giving us more insight into their history and other moments of their lives that aren’t featured in the video games.
Perhaps the first episode could be about Drake and Sully stealing some kind of treasure in Paris and the second could revolve around a side-story starring Chloe or Nadine? Of course, I’d be hoping to see the introduction of new characters and villains, too.
Now that Drake’s story seems to be wrapped up thanks to the satisfying conclusion of Uncharted 4, now is the perfect time for a PlayStation film adaptation to showcase some of his untold stories.
Crash Bandicoot
Sony has already dabbled in creating an animated version of one of their iconic franchises, but it certainly did not pan over well. Yes, I’m talking about that terrible Ratchet and Clank movie.
There was also supposed to be a Sly Cooper film, but who knows what happened to that movie.
Anyways, I think PlayStation should play around with bringing Crash Bandicoot to a television near you. Just like my proposed Uncharted series, I think Crash Bandicoot would be better suited as a kids television series.
Having Crash and his friends get into silly situations and stuff would be quite entertaining if done right and would introduce a lot of children to the silent protagonist.
I would totally tune in to watch at least the first episode of a Crash series. I even have a title for PlayStation to use: Crash Your TV –you’re welcome.
Spider-Man
This might end up being a huge licensing issue or something along those lines, but I still would love to see a live-action television series based on Insomniac’s Spider-Man game that came out last year.
It might be hard to create a thrilling and engaging live-action Spider-Man T.V. show without a gigantic budget, but I’m sure PlayStation can handle it.
Give me a show with an older, more experienced Peter Parker that is not played by Tom Holland with different scenarios and villains from the comics explored in each episode.
Considering how hot the Spider-Man name is right now thanks to the Avengers and Into the Spiderverse being so successful, now is the perfect time to get another adaptation of the web-slinging superhero.
Until Dawn
Netflix recently launched its first interactive television show last year that was called Bandersnatch, which allowed viewers to make decisions for the main character by using their television or game controller, altering the narrative’s path.
Now, imagine if PlayStation Productions could adapt Until Dawn into that same style but for a live-action television series. You can have a cast of six-eight characters and each episode could focus on a different one.
It doesn’t have to take place in a spooky cabin in the middle of nowhere, but the horror element could remain the same, allowing for one of the best shows to watch with a group of friends during a sleepover or something.
Until Dawn does such a fantastic job with its branching paths and character development that it would be awesome to see that translated over to a mainstream service such as Netflix or even Hulu.
Infamous
Insomniac’s Infamous series has always dived into morality and figuring out how to decide between what’s right and what’s wrong.
Cole MacGrath, just your typical bike courier, finds himself with electric-based superpowers, as well as a few other powers later on. His life changes drastically, and suddenly, he has the choice of helping out the citizens of Empire City or ruining their lives.
This could also be a television series similar to Bandersnatch, in which you can make decisions throughout the show to determine how the city views Cole MacGrath; do they praise him for his courage? Or are they throwing rocks at him due to pure hatred?
It would be up to the viewer to shape out how their version of Cole will act throughout Infamous.
What other PlayStation games or franchises would you like to see come to a television near you? Let us know in the comments section below. We would love to hear your picks!
Published: May 23, 2019 11:10 am