Well, the "Uncharted" film adaptation has hit another roadblock. As we reported over a year ago, "The Fighter" director David O. Russell was previously brought on board to helm the movie version of Drake's adventures. Now, it sounds like Russell and Sony have parted ways on the project, and that leaves further questions as to the casting of the film's main hero.
Variety is reporting that Russell has left the project amicably, citing "creative differences" with Sony. The entire affair has been a bit odd, with the director previously stating that he envisioned the "Uncharted" film including a "family dynamic."
"I think if we take that family dynamic that we have in 'The Fighter,' and put that in terms of a grander stage, with a crime family that metes out justice in the world of art and antiquities," Russell told IGN UK, back in February. "If you're the head of a museum, or head of state, you've got to deal with them, and they're badass. ...They're like the Sopranos in some ways, but they have great taste, and they have a sense of justice."
Yeah, so, that happened. Personally, I'm glad David O. Russell has left the project. His crazy "Sopranos-meets-Uncharted" schtick did not have me amused in the slightest. That said, I don't want the film turned over to Uwe Boll, or anything. Additionally, it always felt like Mark Wahlberg was given the lead role of Drake because of his previous relationship with Russell, working on "The Fighter." Now that Russell's out, can we have our Nathan Fillion? Please?
One has to wonder if Naughty Dog's Amy Hennig saw this coming, and what the developers input has been on the film. Only a few weeks ago, Hennig sounded cautiously optimistic about Russell's involvement.
"I know a lot of people have been concerned, asking, do we have the right director, do we have the right writer, what’s going to happen? But we’re waiting too," she said, "What I’ve said in the past is, if the guy who made 'Three Kings' wants to make an 'Uncharted' movie, we should be thankful, right?"