The year is 2024, and video game adaptations are all the rage. In fact, studios are practically falling over themselves in a bid to adapt a beloved IP for the silver and big screen. However, for many years that was not the case. In fact, for a long time, video game adaptations were a cursed endeavor, with many attempts both critically and commercially bombing.
That said, for a long time, fans have maintained that Rockstar's famous Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption properties would make for great movies. Whether it's the story of revenge in a post-9/11 America of Grand Theft Auto IV, or the gripping tale of the end of cowboys as the world modernizes in Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar has been able to craft several powerful narratives throughout its history.
Yet, somehow, a movie has never happened, despite fans' pleas. As it turns out, there's a good reason, or at least a good enough reason, why Rockstar never pursued one. In an interview with The Ankler, Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser shared why a movie never came to be.
Rockstar Believed A GTA Or Red Dead Movie Was Too Risky
In the interview, Houser revealed that Rockstar had been approached on numerous occasions regarding adapting its video game IPs. However, while the interest was there, Houser believed that it was too big of a risk. Such a risk could damage the reputation of its properties. Here's how those talks transpired, according to Houser:
“After a few awkward dates,” Houser said, “we’d ask [the executives], why would we do this?
“Because you get to make a movie.
“And we'd be like, 'No, what you've described is you making a movie and us having no control and taking a huge risk that we’re going to end up paying for with something that belongs to us.'
“They thought we’d be blinded by the lights and that just wasn't the case. We had what we considered to be multi-billion-dollar IP, and the economics never made sense. The risk never made sense. In those days, the perception was that games made poor-quality movies.”
Houser isn't wrong. Back then, video game adaptions did make for poor movies. Part of that is due to the properties that were being adapted, like Prince of Persia, which isn't nearly as rich as a potential Red Dead film. The other part has to do with creative control. It's clear that Rockstar was and still is very protective of its IP, and it was not willing to let a studio use it without control.
Still, Houser affirmed that, “It's a different time now.” That's because properties, like The Last of Us and Mario have made for excellent adaptations. However, that is due in large part to the involvement of the series' creators. For example, Neil Druckmann was heavily involved in the writing, directing and producing of HBO's The Last of Us show. Meanwhile, Shigeru Miyamoto was there every step of the way for The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
In other words, direct creative involvement is part of that recipe for success. And based off the interview, it sounds like Rockstar was keen enough to recognize its importance before signing off. That said, with a changed landscape, perhaps now might be the time to revisit those talks.
