you’re able to debate it all you like, but when it comes to video game adaptations doing justice to their source material, there remains a lot to be desired. On one hand, video game adaptations do draw in their worldwide gaming fan base but often underwhelm in terms of portrayal and execution, and too often have we seen frail screenplays for these films result in dour cinema that leaves a bad taste.
But coming to the 2020s, a film that had depth to its script, did justice to its video game source, and delighted its gaming fan base was 2022’sUncharted, a live-action adaptation of the popular video game of the same name.Unchartedperhaps mirrored the success of the earlyTomb Raiderfilms, and is quite rightly the fifth highest-grossing video game adaptation of all time.
Even thoughUnchartedhad its share of divisive critical opinions, Sony plans to go ahead with not just a sequel but a whole franchise. TheUnchartedlore used to make this movie is rich with stories and capable of creating a lot of new narratives. The studio sees considerable potential for a greater number of installments of the franchise building on the first film and with not just its video game following but also the newer fans it enthralled after the first movie’s release, Sony could just be sitting on a nascent but untapped gold mine.
Updated byGaurav KrishnanNovember 26, 2023: If you’re wondering about Sony creating anUnchartedfranchise, you’ll be happy to know that we’ve updated this article with more information.
Uncharted’s Box Office Results
There’s no denying the potential box office success of video game adaptations. Recently, theSuper Mario Bros. Moviethat hit screens in April 2023 grossed over $1.3 billion,while also earning largely positive reviews, making it the most successful video game adaptation ever made. The film’s success was perhaps no surprise given the sheer number of generations of gamers who have adored the beloved Nintendo characters since they were first introduced in 1985. However, there have also been several failures in the video game adaptation genre, most evidently with theHitmanseries or evenMax PayneandAssassin’s Creed, which all rank, on average, around 5 out of 10 on IMDb.
Certain video game adaptations, liketheMortal Kombatmoviesand theTomb Raiderfilms, were essential adaptations of the late 90s and early 2000s that spawned sequels and more, as the decades progressed, and also opened up and paved the way for the video game movie genre. But they paled in terms of their screenplay, withTomb Raiderperhaps being the most intriguing of the lot in terms of its plot, not to mention starring the era’s most coveted actor, Angelina Jolie.
Unchartedis a buddy-adventure film starring Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg in the lead roles of Nathan Drake and Sully. The action follows the pair as they attempt to recover a 500-year-old fortune, and it managed to delight fans across the spectrum. With an established I.P. to base the film on, A-list talent, and a budget big enough to match the visuals of the video game, the movie held atop spot at the weekend box office. Fortunately, thanks to a mix of all of these elements, and an immersive score, the film was a success. With a budget of $120 million,Uncharted’sbox office performance was quite admirable, pulling in a respectable $407 million worldwide, grossing over triple its budget.
However, reports suggested that the budgetnumber was deceiving. The film’s $120 million budget did not account for any marketing or PR that the studio spent in order to get audiences hyped for the film. Big-budget studios spend upwards of $100 million on commercials, branding, marketing, and advertising. But in the end, of course, the return on investment does the talking, and at the box office, it made enough to be deemed a technical success. Grossing $407 million, it placesUnchartedas the 5th highest-grossing video game movie of all time; not too bad for sure.
Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg Forged A Memorable Partnership On-Screen
With the dreaded video game adaptation curse of a surface-level screenplay hanging overUncharted, it,fortunately, managed to have an intriguing enough plot, along with Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg conjuring up some serious chemistry. Marky Mark proved he could actually share the screen and work in tandem with a real-life actor this time, away from his notorious and obnoxious exploits with hisCGI buddy Ted.
Wahlberg reproduced a Daniel Ocean-esque swagger, but this time working with Holland for their heists and adventures. In Holland, he found an actor also very much suited to his comedic ilk, with Holland’s wry retorts, smiles and cheeky humor mirroring his own. Then, when you throw Chloe Fraser, played by Sofia Ali, in there, the trio of thieves stealing the ancient loot and then re-stealing it from each other had enough intrigue to drive the film’s plot. Naturally, the star pair’s return in the impending movies remains a huge sales point for Sony.
Riding a Tom Holland High
As briefly touched on earlier, it’s no secret that Tom Holland has catapulted to the forefront of Hollywood stardom, quickly going from a no-name actor to an A-lister over a span of barely five years.Spider-Manhas unquestionably been his biggest claim to fame, but he’s riding the wave out as long as he can and has lent his acting skills to several other big-name projects, such asThe Lost City of Z,Dolittle,Onward, and more. The producers ofUnchartedrecognized the attention Holland was getting and quickly decided that he would be the best choice to play Nathan Drake. That was a brilliant move on the studio’s part. But an even more brilliant decision was releasingUnchartedso close toSpider-Man: No Way Home.
The MCU project crushed box office expectations by garnering $1.8 billion worldwide, becoming the third most profitable MCU film ever and the sixth most profitable film of all time. A large chunk of that success goes to Holland, an actor whose charisma and on-screen chemistry with his counterparts are so palpable that audiences never want to stop watching.
So, when MCU fans saw that Holland had another swashbuckling movie coming out just a couple of months afterNo Way Home, they were willing to buy tickets and see the film just to get another two hours of Tom Holland. It’s also noteworthy that, thanks to the Tom Holland high,Unchartedhad better opening weekends than every other MCU film released last year, surpassing the likes ofBlack Widow,Shang-Chi, andEternals.
The 21st Century’s Answer To Indiana Jones
With theUnchartedduo searching for Ferdinand Magellan’s lost treasure using dials, artifacts, and compasses while decoding hidden maps and uncovering secrets in ruins across the world, it’s hard not to see parallels betweenUnchartedandIndiana Jones. Add that to Drake and Sully being constantly chased and on the run, while deceiving their pursuers for the best part of the movie,Unchartedhas all the aspects and elements to give theIndiana Jonesfranchise a good run for its money — literally.
While on the face of it,Uncharteddoesn’t have a characterization as strong astheIndiana Jonesfilms, it does perhaps come in a close second to the Harrison Ford franchise. But given Tom Holland’s excellent portrayal as Nathan Drake and Mark Wahlberg in one of his most charming roles to date, that notion could change if the coming films build more on the lead characters and their backstories.
Related:The 10 Best Movies and TV Shows Adapted from Video Games, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes
In many more ways than one,Unchartedis theIndiana Jonesof the 2020s and, given the franchise’s vast gaming fan base worldwide, there’s plenty of room for Sonyto outdo and expand on the franchise’s story in further releases that could rival Indy and his fabled adventures. To put that into perspective, 2023’sIndiana Jones: The Dial Of Destinygrossed only $174 million, less than half ofUncharted’s $407 million.
The Open Ending Of The First Film
The first film was also left open-ended as it depicts Nate’s brother Sam, who is presumed dead throughout the movie, writing postcards to Nate in a prison cell. Sam is primarily used as the underpinning character for flashbacks in the first movie, adding an emotional connection with the audience along with adding depth to both brothers' backgrounds. Furthermore, the clues he leaves for his younger sibling are an integral part of the movie, as Nate’s search for his long-lost brother and his mysterious disappearance remains an unanswered element in the first movie.
Sam is portrayed in much more detail in the video game, especially inUncharted 4: A Thief’s End,so it’s a plot that Sony could use to expand the story considerably in the next few installments of the franchise. It also leaves a lot of room for elaborate narratives, with Nate reuniting with Sam being something audiences worldwide would be delighted by.
Why Studios Will Still Make Video Game Movies
Despite the apparent video game movie hex,Unchartedrenewed hopes that video game adaptations could be turning the corner. Although critics' reviews took the film down a peg, the worldwide audience really enjoyed it, with international sales making up two-thirds of the total earnings. The movie will likely still suffer in a domestic theatrical release compared to bigger budget franchises, but will eventually recoup its losses because of the effort it puts in overseas.
Related:Best Tom Holland Movies, Ranked
Looking at cinema as a whole,Uncharteddoes have the makings to become a popular and cult-favorite franchise, and also one of the most successful video game movie franchises in the years to come. Furthermore, considering its respectable box office figures, as long as the films keep making Sony money, and building on each other while keeping fans engaged and raving about them, the studio will look to keep putting out releases in the coming years.
Recent reports suggest thatUncharted 2has been green-lit, as per producer Charles Roven and it’s certain that anticipation among fans remains high.StreamUnchartedon Netflix.
