What’s up with the Uncharted movie adaptation? Here’s everything we know so far.
Game developer Naughty Dog specializes in cinematic action/adventures–the sort of games that are directly inspired by big-budget Hollywood action blockbusters. So it simultaneously makes total sense–and little sense–to adapt the Uncharted franchise to film.
On one hand, it’s basically already a movie. The game naturally lends itself to an adaptation. On the other hand, it’s basically already a movie. What can translating it to a new medium possibly add? What additional insight, or additional enjoyment, will Uncharted fans get out of seeing this movie versus replaying A Thief’s End?
Nevertheless, the Uncharted movie is definitely happening. It’s been delayed multiple times for over a decade, and the cast took a while to nail down. But filming is currently ongoing, and there are enough big names attached to this project that it could exceed expectations.
Here is everything we know so far about the Uncharted movie.
1. What’s the release date?
Uncharted will release on February 22, 2022. Hopefully, that is far off enough to avoid the current pandemic, and the movie gets the big, splashy theater release that plays to its strengths.
2. Who’s the director?
The director for Uncharted is Ruben Fleischer. He’s the seventh director attached to the project after Travis Knight, Dan Trachtenberg, Shawn Levy, Seth Gordon, Neil Burger, and David O. Russell all dropped out due to scheduling or creative conflicts.
Fleischer is best known as the director of Venom (2018), Zombieland (2009), and its sequel Zombieland: Double Tap.
3. Who’s in it?
The main role of Nathan Drake will be played by Tom Holland, best known for playing Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. Holland will be joined by Mark Wahlberg, who will play Nathan’s mentor and father figure Victor “Sully” Sullivan.
Also playing key roles are Antonio Banderas, Sofia Taylor Ali (The Wilds, Truth or Dare) as Chloe Frazer, and Tati Gabrielle (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) as new character Braddock. There have been no announcements or indications that Elena Fisher, Drake’s love interest in the games, will be in the movie
4. What’s the story?
The script was written by duo Art Marcum and Matt Holloway, who also wrote Iron Man (2008), Punisher: War Zone (2008), Transformers: The Last Knight (2017), and Men in Black: International (2019).
In an interview with IGN, Holland confirmed that the movie will be an origin tale of Nathan Drake. This helps explain why Holland was cast in the first place; he is notably younger than Drake was, even in the first game. But both Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception and Uncharted IV: A Thief’s End included flashback scenes to when Drake was younger. Appropriately, Holland namechecks Uncharted IV as having the biggest influence on the upcoming film.
5. Are there any trailers or preview images?
There’s no trailer yet, but there is a photo of Holland in character as Nathan, which Holland posted to his Instagram account. We can see that he’s wearing a ring on a necklace–presumably, this is the ring of Sir Francis Drake, who Nathan claims is his ancestor.
6. What other preview images do we have?
There are several images posted to the movie’s official Twitter account. The above photo shows an ornate crucifix being used as a turnkey, which is consistent with the gameplay formula of the Uncharted games: Solve a riddle, find a key, and use it to unlock another riddle and another key.
7. Do any of the preview images hint at the plot?
A different Twitter post by Uncharted game voice actor Nolan North shows an open book about Ferdinand Magellan, who attempted to sail around the globe in 1519. The main plot of Uncharted 2: Among Thieves concerned Magellan and his search for the city of Shangri-La.