Video games have a complicated history with movie adaptations. Most enthusiasts subscribe to the idea that just about every video game movie is bad, with a few exceptions. As Naughty Dog games are some of the most cinematic and realistic ever made, there's a glimmer of hope that the upcoming Uncharted film will be one of the exceptions. While it totes a star-studded cast, the film seems to be going in a direction that makes fans question why it's being made at all.
Other than its February 18, 2022 release date, very little is actually known about the Uncharted film. Although it's roughly six months away, there hasn't been so much as a teaser trailer to whet fans' appetites or give audiences an understanding of what to expect from the movie. One of the only things known about its plot was told to audiences at the 2020 Game Awards, when Uncharted star Tom Holland presented the award for "Best Multiplayer Game." Holland said, "This film tells you how Nathan Drake became the character we all know and love." While that might be fine for average filmgoers, diehard fans of the Uncharted series were skeptical considering in an earlier interview with IGN, Holland said, "If you've played the games, you haven't seen what's going to happen in the film."
Nathan Drake's Backstory in Uncharted 3 and 4
Although those unfamiliar with the series might not know it, Nathan Drake's backstory has been explored extensively in Uncharted 3 and 4. Uncharted 3 opens with an exciting adventure that a young Nathan Drake is on, full of mischief and a style that Drake has clearly not quite perfected. While that section of the story ties into the overall plot of the game revolving around the ownership of Sir Frances Drake's ring, it also provides plenty of backstory on Nathan Drake as a character and tells audiences how Drake and Sully met.
What's more, Uncharted 4 spends plenty of time delving into how Nathan and his brother Sam came to be the adventurers and trouble makers they are. Hours of the game are spent in flashbacks full of backstory and character-building that help inform the entire series. In short, there's no shortage of backstory for Nathan Drake in the series, as nearly half of all its titles put his earlier years in the spotlight for at least an hour or two.
The Uncharted Film's Interpretation of Drake
Based on Holland's IGN interview, it seems like the upcoming Uncharted film will be telling a story separate from those told in the six Uncharted games. What's unfortunate is if the film is focusing on Nathan Drake's backstory, it might not be introducing a lot of depth to the character that hasn't already been explored. Uncharted fans already know a lot about how Nathan Drake became the character, so Holland's take on Drake might not be breaking new ground.
If the film is set on being a Nathan Drake origin story, hopefully it goes in a new direction with the character. While some might be disappointed that Holland's Drake wouldn't be the same as the version of the character from the games, at least that might justify why the film feels like it needs to retread old ground with an origin story. Either way, Uncharted is a beloved series that seems perfect for a film adaptation that's been in the work for years. If the original on-screen Drake is excited about the movie, it's likely to be entertaining at the very least.
Uncharted is scheduled to be released in theaters on February 18, 2022.