Screenwriter explains why Shadow of the Colossus would make a good film
The response to a potential Hollywood adaptation of Shadow of the Colossus has been rather polarizing. On one hand, fans of the game would love to see Fumito Ueda's vision come to life on the big screen. However, jaded movie watchers fear that a film simply wouldn't do the game justice -- especially in the unproven hands of screenwriter Justin Marks (Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li).
Marks understands the pitfalls of adapting a game into a movie. He explained to The Hollywood Reporter that writers are "caught trying to please the fans and the mainstream audience." The balancing act of appeasing fans while holding onto mainstream sensibilities is a difficult one, but one can't help but wonder who Marks was trying to please with Street Fighter. Thankfully, Marks admits Shadow of the Colossus will be an easier film to adapt. "What's so nice about this game is that it's all seen through such an adult lens, so that what pleases the fans also pleases a wider audience."
The simple nature of the game's tale should make Marks' job much easier. "What's nice about this game is that it's so sparse so you can start building right away." While he says he'll avoid Hollywood cliches, it'll take masterful writing to carefully construct an experience that resonates as strongly as the original game.
