Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Though video-games are getting wide recognition for their intricate storylines, memorable characters, and engaging experience, they seem to be cursed when it comes to movie adaptations. However, increasing popularity and a fiercely loyal fanbase have led to several popular video-games getting adapted on the large screen. Joining the list is one of the highest-grossing video-game franchises of all time,World of Warcraft.
Also see:Time and Tide Waited For This 23 Year Old Video-Game
World of Warcraftis a hugely popular multiplayer role-playing game set in the fictional realm of Azeroth. Released back in 1994,Warcraft: Orcs & Humansmade real-time strategy (RTS) games immensely popular. The fourth sequel in the series,World of Warcraftbecame its most popular release as it registered over a hundred million accounts in 2014. By 2017,World of Warcrafthad earned over $9.23 billion in revenue, makingWarcraftone of the most successful and highest-grossing franchises of all time.
Also see:20 Books About Videos Games You Must Read!
In 2016,Warcraftwas adapted into a movie and released starringVikingsstar Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster, and Dominic Cooper. Created as a collaboration between Legendary Pictures andWarcraft‘s developer Blizzard Entertainment, the movie was released under the banner of Universal Pictures. Despite being one of the most anticipated movies of 2016,Warcraftwas a financial and critical disaster, earning $439 million against a budget of $160 million. However,WarcraftsurpassedPrince of Persia: Sands of Timeto become the highest-grossing video-game adaptation of all time.
As most video-game adaptations have faced criticism for their plotline and over-reliance on CGI effects,Warcraftwas also considered to face the same fate of getting canceled. However, according tocomicbook.com, Daniel Ritchman has revealed that Legendary Pictures has a secondWorld of Warcraftmovie in development.
Duncan Jones, the director ofWarcrafthas been quite vocal regarding the scope for exploration in the subsequent sequels to his movie. As a gigantic role-playing game,World of Warcraftis certainly not a walk in the park to adapt for the silver screen. Moreover, Blizzard Entertainment has consistently been updatingWorld of Warcraft, making the lore larger than ever.
Also see:Moon Knight vs Batman: Who Wins?
Travis Fimmel, the actor who plays the role of the legendary Ragnar Lodbrok inVikings,has stated earlier that his role in the historical drama series has helped him prepare well forWarcraft.
“It certainly helps. It’s very different. Warcraft is very motion capture-oriented and special effects-orientated and we wear costumes that I couldn’t get through a door with all the armor.,” he began. “You can’t lift your arms above your head with that on, but Vikings is a bit more natural with the fighting.”
Having received widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Viking hero Ragnar Lodbrok, Travis Fimmel has stated that he was aware of the responsibilities he had to shoulder once he entered the lore ofWorld of Warcraft. However, the sheer popularity of the game and the massive fanbase of the game did surprise Fimmel.
“No, I wasn’t at all. It’s amazing how many people play the game. I saw all the visuals. The movie is so close to Warcraft. They really kept it true to the game and you get a pretty good sense of the game just from what we’re doing on set…I’ve never been much of a gamer.”
“I think it’s a great show for the mentality of gamers. They like the games that are full of action, they like strategy,” he added. “That’s so much what Vikings is about, the strategy and how they can overcome great obstacles. And there’s action everywhere, and women that are very easy to watch.”
Also see:Video-Games Which Will Soon Be Adapted Into Movies
As Sony’s critically acclaimedUnchartedfranchise is getting adapted on the big screen with popular actorsTom Holland, Mark Wahlberg, Antonio Banderas, and Sophia Taylor Ali,World of Warcraftshould surely get another chance at redemption. With more popular franchises likeThe Last of Us,Mortal Kombat,Borderlands,The Witcher, andTomb Raidergetting movie adaptions, the huge, epic-fantasy realm ofWorld ofWarcraftdoes deserve a shot at movies, but only if handled with expertise.
Akash Senapati
Senior Content Strategist
Articles Published :373
Akash is the Lead Content Strategist for FandomWire. Having started as a writer for FandomWire back in 2020, he now manages a global team of writers who share the same passion for motion arts, from Martin Scorsese to the latest MCU flick. He loves DC Comics, Anime, Pink Floyd, and sleeping in no particular order. His favorite graphic-medium writers are Grant Morrison, Chris Claremont, Christopher Priest, Garth Ennis, and Eiichiro Oda. Prep time > Aliens.
