Remember the 80s arcade game Rampage? There's a film of it on the way now...
If the film industry is insistent on attempting to shoehorn videogames into movies, then if it can shine a light on the likes of Rampage, we might just be a bit more tolerant of it. After all, back in the 80s and early 90s, when the costs of game development were more modest, there was more scope for games based on all sorts of ideas to make it to computers and consoles.
The actual concept behind Rampage, though, is suitably simple. In the game, you played a giant creature (one of three you could choose from), and your job was to destroy all the buildings on each screen, before you moved onto the next. Each level also featured the military trying to kill you, and lots of people waving out of buildings. Naturally, you got bonus points if you ate them.
So how does this translate into a movie?
Er, that’s a bloody good question. Our best guest is that it’ll be turned around, and will follow the military side, as they try and stop big creatures destroying a city. But the ultimate decision as to what direction the film takes likes with John Rickard.
Rickard, whose credits include Horrible Bosses and Final Destination 5, is set to produce the film, and is, according to The Hollywood Reporter, meeting with potential writers for it.
New Line Cinema is funding the project (so, Warner Bros effectively), and The Hollywood Reporter notes that “The project aims to take advantage of the title and the visuals of the game.” And not a fat lot beyond that, we’d suggest.
Obviously, to make the poster simply perfect, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson needs to be cast. Presumably John Rickard already has that sorted, though.
Next, then, we want films of Operation Wolf, Thunderblade, Gauntlet, After Burner and Escape From The Planet Of The Robot Monsters. Thank you.
The Hollywood Reporter
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