Following their success directing the well-regarded and money-making “Final Destination: Bloodlines,” filmmakers Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein have set a high-profile new project.
The pair have signed on for a sweeping and expansive first-look deal with Sony Pictures. Their newly launched production company Wonderlab will develop films under the deal for the pair to direct, with a focus on “wildly fun, commercial, character-driven, genre-bending films”.
The first title under the deal will be a film adaptation of gaming legend Hideo Kojima’s signature franchise “Metal Gear Solid”. This would mark the first time the property has been adapted for the screen.
A previous attempt to adapt the property took place over a decade ago when Jordan Vogt-Roberts, hot off the success of “Kong: Skull Island,” was linked to the project. That never ended up happening.
Stealth-based games with sci-fi elements, the series began back in 1998 and the first title follows an attempt to take back a secret military base from genetically enhanced soldiers who have hostages in tow and a dangerous next-generation nuclear weapon.
Since then the series has spawned numerous sequels and a highly complex mythology and lore all its own, with the games jumping to various different eras in the 20th century to further unfold its tale.
Avi Arad and Ari Arad are producing the film. Lipovsky and Stein are already developing multiple projects at Sony and in February were announced as the helmers of an animated “Venom” movie. They’re also developing the sci-fi epic “The Earthling” at Sony.
At other studios, they have several projects in the works, including a new “Gremlins” film at Warners, “Long Lost” at Universal and “The Traveler” at Paramount.
Source: THR
