In the world of video games, there are few titles as cinematic as the Uncharted series developed by the gaming studio Naughty Dog. Since the first game was released in 2007, this action-packed franchise has become one of the most celebrated series in the industry, full of treasure-hunting, exciting combat, and a surprisingly emotional story of adventure.
In 2008, the Uncharted movie was first announced, and since then, it has had all manner of setbacks. From script rewrites to new directors and cast changes, it has been a long road for Uncharted’s theatrical release. However, it seems that the stars have finally aligned, as Uncharted is set to arrive in theaters in mid-February. As we prepare for the release of this massive adaptation, let’s check out all the facts about the film and how it compares to the source material.
Everything You Need to Know About the Uncharted Movie
The Uncharted movie is directed by Ruben Fleischer, best known for his work on films like Zombieland, 30 Minutes or Less, and Venom. The director’s mix of experience in both comedy and action movies sets him up well to knock Uncharted out of the park, provided that the cast brings their A-game and the script is decently written.
Speaking of the cast, Tom Holland (of Spider-Man fame) will be taking on the role of protagonist Nathan Drake, an endearing yet clumsy explorer who travels around the world looking for lost treasure. Mark Whalberg, while originally intended to play Nathan Drake in a previous version of the production, will be filling the shoes of Victor “Sully” Sullivan, Nathan’s mentor and father figure. The role of the villainous Moncada will be played by Antonia Banderas, who is sure to bring his signature flair to the antagonistic part.
If the trailers are anything to judge it by, the Uncharted movie looks to be a bombastic adventure full of fight scenes, explosions, and a satisfying dose of comedy. Audiences can expect to see a blossoming partnership between Nathan and Sully, full of witty remarks and snappy, humorous dialogue. While there seems to be a fair bit of CGI, some traditional action sequences will also be on display, with John Wick-style fight scenes that feel weighty and violent. With its PG-13 rating, you shouldn’t expect anything too grotesque, but this adventure will likely be too intense for younger audiences.
Overall, it seems like the Uncharted movie is aiming to please both fans of the games and complete newcomers, serving up an Indiana Jones-style adventure that modern audiences can become invested in.
How Does the Uncharted Movie Compare to the Games?
Based on the story synopsis and the official trailer, it’s obvious that the Uncharted movie will pull a decent bit of storytelling from the games while also whipping up some original ideas. The movie is set before the events of the first Uncharted game, offering a partial origin story that sees Nathan and Sully teaming up for the first time in their career.
In the film, the pair go searching for billions of dollars worth of gold, left behind from the voyages of the 16th-century explorer, Ferdinand Magellan. Nathan’s longtime ally Chloe Frazer (Sophia Ali) comes along for the adventure, although the film has them meeting long before their introduction in the games.
Generally speaking, the Uncharted movie seems to be swapping around characters and bringing them together early for a standalone adventure not seen in the games. Despite the separation from the story in the source material, the movie will pull several key moments of actions from the games, including a high-flying sequence aboard a cargo plane.
Ultimately, Uncharted could be a sensational blockbuster or a total misfire, but only time will tell. We’ll see if Uncharted can rake cash at the box office and defy the curse of video game movies when it comes out on February 11 and February 18 for the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively.
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