Share

Video game adaptations have always been a tricky genre. Even when a film is based on a massively popular franchise, success is never guaranteed. Some adaptations manage to launch full-fledged cinematic universes, while others remain standalone attempts to bring virtual worlds to the big screen. However, many films still have the potential for sequels, even if they haven’t been officially announced. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at five video game movies that could easily continue their stories but, for now, remain without a follow-up.

Warcraft (2016)

One of the most popular MMORPGs of all time is World of Warcraft with a large open world filled to the brim with endless activities. In the game, players can PvP battle each other, raid tough dungeons, solve epic quests, and go about the thriving economy as well. Since in-game currency plays a crucial role in progression, many players choose to buy WoW gold to speed up their progress and feel more confident in their gameplay. The game offers so much lore and has a multi-million community of fans that it was natural for a film adaptation.

Duncan Jones directed Warcraft in 2016. Visually stunning, most of the film was pretty faithful to the source material but failed to get the domestic box office right, grossing only $47.4 million in the U.S. It was an enormous success in China where it made a staggering $225 million and a worldwide total of $439 million. However, no sequel was ever produced, probably because the film had mixed critical response and flopped in a few markets.

Over the years rumors have rung about a Warcraft sequel or even a streaming series. With the amount that the game’s lore has to offer, a longer-form adaptation would provide an opportunity to offer a richer storytelling experience. Though no official announcements have been made, there is still a decent enough film potential.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)

Ubisoft created the legendary video game franchise Prince of Persia. The product features acrobatic gameplay combined with time manipulation mechanics. The game has immediately won the interest of the gaming community. With this in mind, it is no wonder that Mike Newell directed the movie adaptation of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time during its 2010 release.

The film featured Jake Gyllenhaal as Prince Dastan to depict the energetic Persian environment through the essence of the well-known video game. The production costs of $200 million rendered the movie the initial project to establish a new blockbuster series. The story follows the prince as he partners with Princess Gemma Arterton to prevent an evil villain from misusing the magic dagger that steers time. This plot unfolds within a fantasy version of ancient Persia. The film earned praise for its visual effects alongside its action sequences and set design although its narrative received mixed reviews from critics.

The worldwide revenue of $336 million could not persuade Disney to continue with a sequel production. The movie succeeded in specific areas, but its performance faltered among different regions. Rumors suggest that studio leaders first wanted Orlando Bloom for the role of Prince Dastan but selected Gyllenhaal since he had wider viewer appeal. Ever since developers released a remake of The Sands of Time from the Prince of Persia franchise, the series received renewed public interest. The successful adaptation of this Prince of Persia project might signal upcoming releases in the series’ movie history.

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021)

The popular Resident Evil game series had always been popular, but the movies featuring Milla Jovovich in the lead diverged from the canon and made up their own universe. Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City also tried to reimagine the original plot close to what is in the original game. The reactions towards the film were split — fans enjoyed the references to the games; critics and the general public were less pleased with the writing and performances. For this reason, it only made back $42 million on a $25 million budget, and a sequel wasn’t a guarantee.

Following a series of Resident Evil video games, 2022 saw the Netflix release of its own Resident Evil series. Yet a wave of contradictory reviews followed the show. The adaptation had many critics and viewers unhappy about it; the latter said it was not the essence of the original games. “The series gave us something new to the universe, but it wasn’t popular with everyone.”

A Resident Evil story that pays homage to the spirit of the original games, either in the form of a film sequel or in a new series, will always be in demand. There’s still a chance for a more authentic and successful continuation of the beloved universe if the creators are willing to listen to the fans and use their thoughts. If the creators are open to hearing the fan feedback and including their ideas, the potential for a more faithful and successful continuation of the beloved universe is still there.

Mortal Kombat (2021)

Fans had been waiting for a new Mortal Kombat adaptation since the 90s, and 2021 finally offered it to them. Both new and familiar characters were introduced. Reaching theaters in July, it made $83 million on a $55 million budget, and HBO Max premeier also grabbed audiences’ attention for a potential sequel.

An interesting fact: the role of Sub-Zero was played by Joe Taslim, who had already signed a contract for multiple films if the franchise succeeded. Rumors about a sequel appeared in 2022, but no official announcement has been made yet. But even Mortal Kombat has a good opportunity to return to the film screen. The franchise is still in demand, and fans are still waiting for iconic characters such as Johnny Cage and Shao Kahn.

Tomb Raider (2018)

After the success of the 2013 Tomb Raider game reboot, a new movie adaptation seemed logical. The events from the first game in the series were adapted for the movies that hit the big screen in 2018 and starred Alicia Vikander. The film got a $94 million budget and grossed $274 million, which was enough to allow the film to consider being a success by its budget but not to immediately start greenlighting a sequel.

MGM, however, suffered a shortfall of funds when it came later to MLS rights to Tomb Raider adaptations. Because of this, the sequel was frozen. The rights are now with Amazon, and the company has planned both a new film and a series. It remains unclear whether Alicia Vikander will return as Lara Croft or if we’ll see a complete reboot.

Looking Forward to a New Release?

Video game adaptations are always risky. Even if a film is based on a popular franchise, its fate depends on many factors: box office earnings, critic reviews, and studio plans. Warcraft, Prince of Persia, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, Mortal Kombat, and Tomb Raider all had potential for sequels, but none have received one yet. However, the movie and gaming industries are constantly evolving, and it’s possible we’ll see one of these stories continue in the future.