Deadline brings word today that Shawn Levy has agreed to terms to direct the long-in-development Uncharted movie for Sony.
Best known for his recent work on Netflix phenomenon Stranger Things, Shawn Levy’s credits also include Real Steel, Night at the Museum, and a producing gig on sci-fi movie Arrival. What’s more, Levy’s appointment also frees up screenwriter Joe Carnahan, who had climbed aboard the video game adaptation a few months back to hash out a script. Next up for him is 2018 action sequel Bad Boys for Life.
Uncharted, meanwhile, is still incubating in the nascent stages of development. Truth be told, Nathan Drake’s journey to the silver screen has been fraught with setbacks, with numerous writers and directors becoming involved only to make for the exit door before the project could gain a sense of momentum – in fact, Mark Wahlberg, David O. Russell and Baywatch helmer Seth Gorden have been attached to the video game adaptation through the years. That’s something that developer Naughty Dog, the creative minds behind the Uncharted series, have touched on before, especially after The Last of Us movie was essentially put on ice.
But in a movie industry that is on the verge of welcoming the Michael Fassbender-fronted Assassin’s Creed film, there’s certainly an appetite for video game adaptations – and that’s even factoring in the box office flops of both Warcraft and Angry Birds: The Movie. The Uncharted series is celebrated for its rich storytelling and strong characters, so hopefully Sony and now Shawn Levy can craft a feature film worthy of the Drake name.
Last we reported, Sony has quietly removed the live-action Uncharted movie from its release slate as screenwriter Joe Carnahan focused on 2018 sequel Bad Boys for Life. When it does finally swing into theaters, it’ll seemingly feature a cracking opening sequence.