While promoting the trailer for his new film Rebel Moon, director Zack Snyder let slip that he would love to direct a film adaptation of the popular video game series Gears of War. This would be the perfect vehicle for Snyder, who revels in dark, gritty, bloody action. His visual sensibilities would bring the world of Sera to vivid life, and he wouldn’t shy away from the violence. We would get plenty of chainsaw madness, big set pieces, bizarre creatures, and stunning war-torn landscapes.
Imagine if he brought along his Army of the Dead buddy Dave Bautista and his Justice League cohorts Jason Momoa and Ray Fisher to portray the holy trinity Marcus Fenix, Dominic Santiago, and Cole Train? It makes too much sense, right?
Snyder already teased us with his Gears of War aesthetic in Man of Steel, during which Zod and his minions adorn themselves in armor very reminiscent of the COG Armor seen in the game. His picture Sucker Punch transported viewers into a dystopian landscape riddled with evil soldiers and dragons, presenting a similar washed-out style to Gears. Hell, the cast of Army of the Dead might as well have been lifted from the Gears franchise, what with their tragic backstories, muscle-clad bods, and proficiency for weaponry.
All to say, Snyder already has a superb demo reel to show Netflix executives when he makes his pitch.
Do you need more proof? Watch the trailer for Rebel Moon, which looks like a wicked collage of every video game in existence — and I mean that in a good way. There are splashy effects, badass heroes, spider demons ripped straight out of Doom, and plenty of high-octane action. It looks incredible!
Allowing Snyder to do Gears would also let him show off some of his Justice League sequel ideas. He could repurpose those oft-teased future war sequences and replace Darkseid with Uzil RAAM.
Moreover, Snyder is the ultimate nerd, meaning he wouldn’t skimp on the established Gears of War lore. Instead, he would honor the story and legacy of the games, an aspect sorely lacking from most video game adaptations — Halo — and construct a cinematic universe for Marcus and co. to navigate.
Like I said, it’s too perfect. The idea alone sounds like a guaranteed hit. A video game movie catered to fans of the game, big enough to attract crowds, and weird enough to make the project stand out from the listless tentpole movies currently dominating cinemas? Imagine that?
Will Zack Snyder direct the Gears of War movie?
There are few guarantees in Hollywood, but this is one of those moments that seems too good to pass up. This is like Christopher McQuarrie asking to direct Man of Steel 2, Christopher Nolan floating his name out there for the next James Bond film, or Snyder pitching a Star Wars movie. Who would be dumb enough to say no? Oh, Hollywood.
Alas, Snyder probably won’t direct Gears of War. The property will likely fall into the hands of an unknown director and/or writer unfamiliar with the game. We’ll get something that looks like Gears and bears the game’s title and trademark weapons, but it will focus on all the wrong things, ignore the lore, and then the makers will bash fans who turn up their noses. Rinse and repeat.
It’s too bad, as video games are a novelty waiting to be exploited. Hollywood tried and failed to adapt the likes of Uncharted, Resident Evil, and Tomb Raider. Why not kick off the next phase on the right note? Bring in Snyder and let him crack the code.