Gears of War Movie: Will it Follow the Trend of Bad Game-Based Movies?

Everyone knows that the relationship between video games and movies is a touchy subject for gamers and movie buffs alike. Being that I consider myself in both categories, I feel I have a special view of the subject.

If you consider yourself a game enthusiast, or gamer, then you probably cringe a little whenever you here that one of your favorite movies is being turned into a video game. And why do you cringe? Because a majority of video games based on movies suck, period. This is surprising because you have this amazing action movie or whatever which, in your mind, looks like it would be awesome to play on your 360 or PS3. The problem? People love money, including game producers and film companies. When a blockbuster movie comes out, everyone expects a game to go along with it. But games take a long time to create and the only way to make one based off of a movie is to have most of the movie already completed. Herein lies the problem. Game developers finally get what they need to complete the game and are then stuck with a forced upon release date that coincides with the release of the movie causing the game to be rushed, not leaving room for the necessary time desired to fine tune the game resulting in a crappy game. Our lives are chalked full of crappy movie-based video games: Ironman, Reservoir Dogs, E.T.(named one of the worst games of all-time) just to name a few.

On the other side, there are also a ton of movies based on video games that also suck. Now, while the games have already come out and the movies are being made after, there is no release date the movie has to try and hit to match up with the game, which means no rushing. So why do a majority of game-based movies suck? Because the movie companies obtain all the rights and try to make a movie how they think it should be made. They exclude the writers and creators of the game itself and kind of do their own thing with it. This is why most movies based on awesome games suck, i.e. Bloodrayne, Super Mario Brothers, Max Payne, etc...

So now-a-days, when people here about their favorite game being turned into a movie or vice versa, they tend to get a little worried, and with good reason. But, it seems like things are taking a turn for the better, especially with the announcement of a big screen adaptation of the hit X-box 360 game Gears of War. Released in 2006, Gears of War became one of the most popular and fastest growing games on the market. But when gamers heard there beloved game was getting a big screen adaptation, skepticism ensued. Nobody wanted to see such an incredible game be crapped up in the cinemas by some money hungry film studio looking to make some easy cash. But all fears may be blown away due to the fact that the game's creator Cliff Bleszinski, or Cliffy B, is working hand in hand with the creators of the movie. This is what all video game based movies are missing, an person with all the insider views of the game, how it was made, and the meaning behind everything. Gears of War is Cliffy B's baby, and gamers across the world can sleep a little more peacefully at night knowing that he is working hard to make the Gears of War movie not suck.

While there is not much info on the movie as if yet, here's what we do know, about the game franchise and the movie. On March 20, 2007, it was officially announced that New Line Cinemas had purchased the rights to a Gears of War movie. Len Wiseman is set to direct with Chris Morgan to script rewrites as of June 2008. In an interview with Morgan during G4's live coverage of Comic Con 2008, Morgan hinted that the movie will be a prequel to the games which could explain a lot of interesting things, like how Marcus Fenix got his scar. As of May 6, 2009, Chris Morgan stated that the Gears of War movie "looks incredibly good." But its not like Morgan has seen any actual footage considering there is none. Morgan is, however, referring to the script currently on hand at New Line. As of today, we have no confirmed release date, or cast of characters, though the cast is being thrown around quite a bit.

As for characters, there are some speculations of which big name stars will be playing who in the film. According to Morgan, he envisions the character of Marcus Fenix as being played by someone the likes of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. A good choice, however everybody remembers Johnson's "stunning" performance in the Doom movie. But this is a hard act to do. The characters in Gears of War are iconic and need to be done justly. Other speculations of who might portray the bad-ass leader of Delta Squad were actors like Nick Chinlund(Chronicles of Riddick) and Dominic Purcell(Prison Break). While none of these people are confirmed, it will be interesting to see who lands the roles of these characters.

The Gears of War movie, like all other movies based on video games, has the same possibility to suck, just like the rest of them. However, with Cliffy B taking a huge roll in the production of the movie, I'd say we, as gamers, Gears lovers, and movie lovers, shouldn't have too much to worry about.

As an added bonus to you all, I have decided to compile a list of the characters from Gears of War 1 and the actors/actresses I think should play them. Enjoy and feel free to leave me a comment on who you think should comprise the troops of Delta Squad.

Marcus Fenix - Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Dominic Santiago - Franky G.

Augustus "Cole Train" Cole - Lester "The Mighty Rasta" Speight

Damon Baird - Ryan Reynolds

Minh Young Kim - Jason Scott Lee

Anya Stroud - Jessica Biel

Maria Santiago - Meagan Fox

Victor Hoffman - R. Lee Ermey

Hope I did them justice.