Games starring in the movies

It's obvious that computer games have become an accepted element of society when Hollywood is willing to base movies on them. Now, more than ever, film companies are gathering ideas on how to bring hit games to the movie screen around the world. Sure, previous movies have featured arcade games like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter, but right now endless possibilities abound for producers to focus a movie around. There's been talk of movies from many recent popular games, such as Quake, Duke Nukem, and Tomb Raider. Currently these titles are only rumors, nothing more. However, one game, Wing Commander, has just finished up filming of their movie.

People can expect good things from this film, titled Wing Commander. The movies from just the Wing Commander games are some of the best ever for computer games, rivaling some actual films in content and style. Also, the creator of the series, Chris Roberts, is directing the movie. Roberts purchased the rights to make the film from Origin, owners of the Wing Commander name. Filming began in the small country of Luxembourg on Feb. 15, and ended Apr. 18. The movie supposedly has a production budget of only $27 million. Release of Wing Commander is scheduled for Nov. 6, 1998. The film will be distributed in the United States and United Kingdom by Fox and in France by Universal.

The plot of the movie is only somewhat based around the first Wing Commander game. It will include some of the early events of the game and will focus on the ongoing war between the Confederation and the Kilrathi. However, the main story line will be different. Digital Anvil, the company Chris Roberts created after he left Origin, gives away some of the plot:

"Admiral Tolywn sends an encoded message regarding a Kilrathi attack to...Blair, who is on his way to carrier duty with his buddy Maniac aboard a requisitioned merchantman piloted by the enigmatic Paladin. After Blair helps put the alien fleet on the run, Tolywn decimates them when they enter Earth space." - Gamespot

For even more information on the movie, Dan's "Wing Commander: The Movie" Page is a great guide. Check out the cast and crew of the movie, then look at the videos and pictures offered there. Finally, go chat about the upcoming movie on the site's own private chat room.