When Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton were given the high task of revising the script for the God of War adaptation it appeared as if the project, which has been gestating for the better part of three years now, was finally gaining some traction. Working off a David Self-penned script, the Piranha 3DD duo was brought in to breathe a little more life into the popular video game’s big screen adaptation.
While we have nothing to announce as far as a new director or cast is concerned, Dunstan and Melton have provided quite a substantial update regarding how they are approaching the script. Fans of the Sony-published video game might scoff at the idea of the writers behind films like Saw IV and The Collector handling such a precious property, but the two’s take appears to be rather unique.
In its video game form, God of War follows the tale of Kratos, a Grecian warrior who turns to the god of war Ares for assistance. A byproduct of that allegiance is the destruction of Kratos’ hometown and family, which sets him on a revenge quest to kill the god. If this sounds like Clash of the Titans, that’s because in many respects the Sam Worthington-starring films borrow heavily from the game series.
Dunstan and Melton are well aware of this, citing that when original writer David Self turned in a script it was well before films like 300, Immortals, and the two Titans movies were released. Each of those films, while still borrowing from their own source material, feature similar visuals and plot points to the God of War video game. The film’s new writers were going to need to find ways to make those action scenes, which depict epic battles between Kratos and god-like figures, feel original again.
One of the key ways the writers plan to make the project stand out is with their development of the character of Kratos. In the game he’s seen as a blunt instrument, hell-bent on revenge without any concern for self-preservation. In the film, however, Dunstan and Melton wanted to ground the character; give him some back-story before setting him out on this quest.
“In the same way that Batman was grounded with Christopher Nolan’s rendition, we were attempting to do that with Kratos so that when we meet him — like they’re doing in this newest game, which is sort of a prequel to the original — we’re seeing him before he became the Ghost of Sparta, when he was just a Spartan warrior and he had family and kids.”
They plan to use (at most) the film’s first 30 minutes to establish Kratos’ family life and his humanity, before stripping all of that away. This should help audiences unfamiliar with the game series better connect with the character, and root for his success.
As well as giving Kratos an extra level of depth, the writers plan to provide the film’s key antagonist Ares (also known as the “God of War”) a more expanded role. In the game he’s only featured in a few minor cutscenes before serving as the final boss – but in a film that cannot work.
“In the game, you know, he’s immortal, and he doesn’t really do much besides raid Athens. So we’re trying to build him up a bit more, too, so that he can become a true villain.”
Die-hard fans may cry foul of the decision to alter the God of War base story, but if it helps make for a more compelling film we’re all for it. The decision to establish Kratos as a human before making him simply a big white ball of revenge could prove successful if the right context is provided, and giving his villain more screen time should help establish the stakes.
Dunstan and Melton’s enthusiasm for the project, as well, is hard to overlook. Leaving their genre of choice might give audiences pause about their suitability, but if there’s one thing they are sure to get right it’s the overly violent action.
There are still obviously more pieces that need to come together before the project can truly get off the ground — including pinning down a director — but for now we’re intrigued by where the film adaptation is headed.
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Source: IGN
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how about Paul Thomas Anderson or David Fincher? kind of out of their normal realm of movie but both no how to tell a great story and are 2 of my personal favorits. i guess if you wanted someone how has done movies like this before you could go with Wolfgang Petersen or Ridley scott? or maybe they will go with more of an unknow director so Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton can have more control?
I like David fincher or maybe go slightly more twisted with Darren ornaphsky
Darren ornaphsky would be awesome too. it will be interesting to see what kind of direction they will go in. kinda sounds like they are going for a crosss between troy and 300 which would be cool but hard to pull off. Also please to vin diesel people….
i wish Dwayne Johnson “The Rock” or Vin Diesel will be Kratos
Shout Outs your fan in Philippines
I know hemsworth is becoming a bankable like able star but I could see him as kratos. I for one think he’s a great actor. Loved him Thor and snow white. Even back in the day when he was in CASH. good actor.
seems perfect for a hollywood film adaptation
one note character and slim plot.
Theyd still mess it up someway ….
They should test the market with an animated film, straight to DVD/OD. Try out the direction they’re taking with The film…stop a bad idea before it starts, or build hype fir a new idea that works.
They should have Dolph Lundgren buff back up, Masters of the Universe buff. He has a face that looks like its seen many wars. Plus, he’d be cheap, but with just enough marketing appeal…then spend the money you save on a talented director & special effects.
They already made a God of War movie… it was called Clash of the Titans.
You should have called this article ‘God of War’ Movie writers talk turning a crappy game into a crappy movie.
I doubt you have played the game, so dont make comments without a purpose looser!!!
Don’t feed the troll bro haha.
Adapting this game into a film is a terrible idea, They’d NEVER do the game justice unless Santa Monica Studios produces it themselves. The ‘God of War’ games trump ANYTHING Hollywood can EVER produce on their Best Day.
True that. These games are my favorite of all video game franchises and they are in a special place in my heart! Haha! If it’s gonna be done, I want it done RIGHT. As much as I want to see this become a live-action movie … I would rather it stay a video game rather than suffer a Dragonball Z like fail.
^^Same goes for ‘World of Warcraft’^^
I’m not a big fan on game movies. The games for God of War are great, however, I just feel like if they did turn it into a movie, the outcome would be a lot of disappointed fans.
Vin Diesel or the The Rock Johnson as Kratos
They want to be original yet are adapting a an existing and established video game franchise.Somehow that just seems odd.
All this talk about making it a little different is the one reason that game to movie adaptations always fail.Because it never is just a little different.
the themes are all from greek-myth,and like screenrant had made a list about greek-myth creatures and legends and the fact that the movie-industry can make hundreds of fantasy movies with the source material. so, it can´t be said that -wrath of the titans- have directly referrences to -god of war- because the makers of -clash of the titans- had that idea before to tell the story in a art trilogy from characters from greek myth.but, and maybe – god of war- could be a bigger and better greek-myth action movie from all the other inspired movies before(i can begin from the 50s till now,but that would take too long), just if they have a good script and can bring the game and the game feeling to life,what often fails in games to movies.
Clash of the Titans was more it’s own movie than Wrath of the Titans was.When watching Wrath it did feel like watching certain sequences that were lifted from God of War.Kronos looks very similar to Cronos depicted in the God of War series.The Kronos from Greek Mytholgy (described in books or depicted in paintings) looks more human.Very unlike the lava covered cgi creature.So while I would agree with you that it is possible for the makers of the movie to have come up with their own ideas.Seeing the similarities it is too much of a coincidence not to say they weren’t inspired.
I am not so sure if a good script is what needed.Sure it will help.But a script can be good and have nothing to do with the original plot of the games.What is necessary,that the people who will be making the movie have played the games and enjoyed the experience.It is that experience that they need to translate.Which is something I think can never be done.Since the experience comes from playing the game.Although they can come close if they try hard enough.One example where it went horribly wrong with that was Max Payne.Mark Wahlberg admitted not having played the game and from what I gathered it was kinda obvious the other makers involved also did not have a clue what it was about.Max Payne was all about the bullet time action.The film noir story line was nice and all but not the thing that draw gamers in.It was the one game at the time that gave the player the chance to be like Chow Yan Fat in John Woo movies.In the movie there is one scene with bullet time.And that was one of the worst uses of bullet time I have ever seen in my life.So bringing it back to God of War.They need to show why Kratos is a badass.They should show him defying anyone who crosses his paths even if some of theme are Gods.The man is angry.I never really needn’t the reason to know why he was.Just that he was.This whole exploration into the character sounds nice but it’s completely unnecessary.
Vin diesel or Batista as Kratos
One word:Totally unnecessary!
Oops,that was two words.
@ SCREENRANT y u no post anything a whole day?????
The Project Greenlight winners writing a videogame adaptation? Sounds awesome!
IS THIS WEBSITE DEAD?
Love how they make this seem sooooo hard. the storyline from the game is ready for bigscreen, so why is this taking soooooooo long, just come out with the damn movie before I lose my eyesight to old age waiting.
Personally in my opinion I am one of the biggest God of War fans in the world!!! I own all six of his games and I try and play them on a regular. I am very excited about a possible movie release of my all time favorite game that has ever been made. But will be very disappointed if it is not done correctly, I really don’t think that actual actors will bring the performance that is needed to carry the story of Kratos. I see the writers are trying to figure out a director to ask to do it, I think you guys should go back and take a look at Beowulf, Polar Express, and give Robert Zemeckis a call ASASP. This is truly the only way that Kratos can be brought from game system to big screen. If you guys release the movie in the same format people that know nothing about the game will become very interested. Then there goes your room for sequels. Allowing the movie to have no limits just like his games, if you haven’t played them please do before you create his movie. Or request your director to do so.