After nearly two decades in development, the Metal Gear Solid movie is officially in production. Sony Pictures has revived the project, appointing Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, directors of Final Destination: Bloodlines, to replace Jordan Vogt-Roberts. Avi and Ari Arad will produce the film, with Avi Arad recognized for his work on Sony’s Spider-Man and Spider-Verse animated films.
The directors expressed enthusiasm for adapting Hideo Kojima’s acclaimed action game franchise, stating, “Metal Gear Solid was nothing short of a groundbreaking cinematic masterpiece that forever revolutionized video games. We are thrilled and honored to bring Hideo Kojima’s iconic characters and unforgettable world to life”.
Sanford Panitch, president of Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, also commended Lipovsky and Stein and welcomed them to Sony. This partnership builds on their existing relationship with the studio, where they are directing an animated Venom film for Sony Pictures Animation and developing the original sci-fi epic The Earthling for Columbia Pictures.
What Can Fans Expect From the Metal Gear Solid Movie?
Hideo Kojima’s renowned stealth-action series, which has sold over 65.5 million copies and is celebrated for its cinematic style, was first announced for adaptation at E3 2006, but after that, the project stalled in 2010. However, in 2012, it was announced that it was back in production with Avi Arad as producer and a collaboration between Columbia Pictures and Kojima Productions. In 2020, reports said the project was back on, with Oscar Isaac set to play Solid Snake. Isaac confirmed his interest in October 2022, but there were no further casting updates until the new directors were announced this week.
Although the script has not been finalized, the film is expected to follow the core premise of the 1998 PlayStation classic. Metal Gear Solid centers on Solid Snake, a retired special forces operative sent to Shadow Moses Island to neutralize the rogue unit FOXHOUND.
