Sony Taps 'Bloodlines' Directors for Metal Gear Solid Movie
Get the Culture newsletter
Daily culture — film, music, books, the trends and ideas worth your attention. Free.
- Sony Pictures is developing a "Metal Gear Solid" film under its Columbia label, marking the first screen adaptation of the nearly 40-year-old video game franchise.
- Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, the directing duo behind "Final Destination: Bloodlines," are attached to direct the "Metal Gear" film, coming off that horror sequel's $315 million worldwide gross for New Line Cinema.
- Lipovsky and Stein signed a first-look production deal with Sony covering all the studio's film labels, with their banner Wonderlab recruiting executive leadership and targeting "wildly fun, commercial, character-driven, genre-bending films."
- Avi Arad and Ari Arad are set to produce the "Metal Gear Solid" movie, while Sony Motion Picture Group president Sanford Panitch called the directors "two of the most impressive director/producers working today."
- The directing pair are also developing an animated Venom movie for Sony Pictures Animation and an original sci-fi feature called "The Earthling" with "Arrival" screenwriter Eric Heisserer producing.
Why it matters: The "Metal Gear Solid" franchise has eluded Hollywood adaptation for nearly 40 years, making Sony's move to attach the directors of a $315 million-grossing horror hit a high-profile first attempt at a major gaming property. The first-look deal extends far beyond this single film, giving Sony exclusive access to a proven genre duo across Columbia, Sony Pictures Animation, and other labels.
