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Uncharted has been on a role lately. Aside from Naughty Dog launching yet another critical darling with the fourth installment this year, the film is also gaining momentum. With Joe Carnahan writing and Shawn Levy directing, the news for the film adaptation has been getting plenty of buzz. Finally. Now we await details regarding who will be cast as Drake, Sullivan, and likely Elena Fisher. Talking to io9 (via IGN) Levy teased he’s already been conversing with a few potential Nathan Drake candidates.
Levy is aware of all the fan choices, as he notes social media’s penchant for filling his Twitter mentions with suggestions. However, he says, “I do have some people in mind and I’ve started some very secret, low-grade conversations and explorations of actors. And I literally need to stop talking now.”
It’s fine. He can take his time… we’ll wait. But he is willing to tease the kind of story he and Carnahan will tell. Save for the incredible character moments and game-changing action, Uncharted’s tone is what makes it special. According to Levy, fans should expect to see it played out on the big screen, too.
“…we have a really cool and unique plot. But we have a tone that Joe and I are channeling right into the script that is that Nathan-blend of real guy, heroism, snarky, funny wit. I think we figured out the tone in an exciting way.”
The Stranger Things director also believes this film may be what audiences need right now.
“It’s been a long ass time since we’ve had a great, and contemporary, treasure hunter movie,” Levy said. “Everyone will invoke Raiders [of the Lost Ark] and National Treasure but this movie, the combination of the hunt, the action, the relationships and the characters, I think it makes it really unique and super juicy to bring to the big screen.”
One of the larger challenges in translating Uncharted to cinema will be in nailing the action set-pieces. Uncharted 2 has left an indelible mark on the gaming industry for its stunning action. It was able to convey the set-pieces we dream of seeing on the big screen, and added an additional surprise when actually letting the gamer partake in the scene instead of merely observing. Many developers have tried, but no one can execute such moments quite like Naughty Dog. With this pedigree in mind, Levy says he feels obligated to do the intense action of the series justice.
“Those action scenes blow my mind in the game and if I don’t give that experience to audiences with the movie I didn’t do my job. And I intend to do my job.”
We can’t wait to see the results. There’s still no news on a potential release date just yet. Although, Shawn Levy is hoping to complete shooting by the end of 2017.
Image: PlayStation
