Announced 15 years ago, theShadow of the Colossusfilm adaptation is rearing its head, as reports have emerged that it is still in development. The adaptation is being helmed byThe Flashdirector Andrés Muschietti, whotold Argentine radio station Radio TU that the project hasn’t been abandoned, and that its biggest hurdle at the moment is financing, since theShadow of the ColossusIP isn’t as mainstream as something likeUncharted.
Whether news about this adaptation is a good thing will likely be debated byShadow of the Colossusfans until it releases. Video game film and TV adaptations have come a long way, with shows likeThe Last of UsandFalloutbeing particular standouts, even as ventures likeBorderlandscontinue to flop. On the one hand, this is a good omen for future adaptations, but it must be noted that something likeThe Last of Us, which borrows a great deal from the language of cinema, is radically different fromShadow of the Colossus, a pensive, meditative, and thoughtful adventure without dialogue or a traditional plot. It certainly won’t be the easiest game to faithfully adapt.
The Shadow of the Colossus Movie Has a Tightrope to Walk
Shadow of the Colossus' Gameplay-Narrative Connection
Thestory ofShadow of the Colossusis rather simple. Presented minimally, the plot centers on a character simply known as Wanderer, who has taken a young maiden named Mono to the Forbidden Lands in an attempt to resurrect her after she was sacrificed for vague reasons. Dormin, an enigmatic deity, tasks Wanderer with defeating the sixteen Colossi that roam the Forbidden Lands, offering to revive Mono in exchange. This is about as explicit as the story gets; the rest of it is conveyed through subtle and interpretive means, mostly through the boss battles with each Colossus.
These fights are iconic, bombastic, and thrilling, evoking the same feelings as the story of David and Goliath, and rather effectively, at that. With how minimalistShadow of the Colossus' plot is, it’s easy to understand the significance of these fights, and the more subtle and interpretable aspects of the story are conveyed through means like music, animation, and gameplay design. This makesShadow of the Colossusincredibly special, not to mention influential, but it’s not a style that’s easy to adapt to the medium of film.
The Shadow of the Colossus Movie Needs to Find a Way to Balance Fights and Story
The majority ofShadow of the Colossus' tone and storytellingare communicated through gameplay, especially the tense, long fights with each Colossus. Thus, these fights are essential to include in the film, while doing them justice through visuals, music, and narrative significance. The problem is that, though sixteen extensive, epic battles make a great foundation for a video game, they aren’t the best fit for an engaging, mass-market film, which will probably need a bit more narrative meat for audiences to latch onto.
According to the Radio TU interview, Muschietti is seeking as much as$200 million for theShadow of the Colossusadaptation, indicating that it will probably not be radical or experimental with its presentation. In other words, it will likely adhere to blockbuster filmmaking staples rather than avant-garde tendencies.
So, anyShadow of the Colossusmovie would need to flesh out the narrative a bit, with the aim of being comprehensible. At the same time,the Colossus fights cannot be overlookedor by-the-numbers, as they are the meat and potatoes of the whole experience. Two hours of nothing but Colossus fighting would probably make audiences' eyes glaze over, but they still need to be the driving force of the film, so Muschietti may have his work cut out for him.
Shadow of the Colossus (2018)
WHERE TO PLAY
Rebuilt from the ground up by Bluepoint Games and JAPAN Studio, SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS on PlayStation 4 system introduces the awe of its unforgettable world and towering creatures to a new generation of gamers, while allowing long time fans to revisit the beloved masterpiece with unparalleled visual fidelity and improved performance.Tales speak of an ancient realm where Colossi roam the majestic landscape. Bound to the land, these creatures hold a key to a mystical power of revival – a power you must obtain to bring a loved one back to life.SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS is a breathtaking journey through ancient lands to seek out gigantic beasts. Armed with only a sword and a bow, explore the spacious lands and unearth each Colossus, presenting a unique challenge to test your wits, determination, and skill.
