Sydney Sweeney will star in Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of Split Fiction. The video game has taken the market by storm, with over two million copies sold just a week after its March 6 release. Hazelight Studios developed this hit game while Electronic Arts published it.
A powerhouse creative team backs this movie adaptation. The “Deadpool” and “Wolverine” screenwriting team of Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick will write the screenplay. Story Kitchen, which brought us “Sonic the Hedgehog” and “Tomb Raider,” will handle production. Sweeney’s role goes beyond acting – she’ll step in as an executive producer too.
This co-op adventure game stands out with its unique blend of fantasy and sci-fi elements through split-screen combat and platforming challenges. Top Hollywood studios have shown keen interest, and a bidding war might soon emerge for what could be the next big gaming-to-film franchise.
Sydney Sweeney Joins ‘Split Fiction’ as Lead
Sydney Sweeney has signed on as the lead actor for the film adaptation of “Split Fiction.” The 27-year-old actress adds another impressive role to her portfolio with this high-profile video game adaptation.
The “Euphoria” star’s role extends beyond acting. She will also serve as an executive producer, which shows her growing influence behind the camera. This combination of roles demonstrates her expanding industry presence beyond on-screen work.
The producers haven’t yet decided which of the game’s two lead characters Sweeney will play. She could portray either Zoe or Mio, who are the story’s central protagonists. Zoe’s bubbly blonde personality seems like a natural match for Sweeney, though the final casting decision remains undecided.
“Split Fiction” tells the story of two authors who find themselves trapped in fictional worlds they created. This blend of fantasy and science fiction has drawn attention from an impressive creative team. The adaptation will be directed by Jon M. Chu, who recently finished directing “Wicked”. The screenplay comes from Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, known for writing all three “Deadpool” films.
Story Kitchen (formerly dj2 Entertainment) and Chu’s Electric Somewhere company have joined forces for this production. Mike Goldberg and Dmitri M. Johnson will lead the production under Story Kitchen’s banner, bringing their game-to-film adaptation expertise.
Sweeney’s filmography grows faster with recent successes like “Anyone But You” and “Immaculate”. Her role in “Split Fiction” strengthens her position as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents, especially as studios look toward video game properties to create mainstream entertainment franchises.
Why This Role Marks a Turning Point in Sweeney’s Career
“Split Fiction” marks a major milestone in Sweeney’s already impressive career. Her journey from TV breakthrough star to leading film actress gains momentum with each smart career move.
Sweeney takes on both lead actress and executive producer roles, showing her growing influence in the industry. This project lets her shape creative decisions behind the camera while she retains her on-screen presence. Her expanded role shows how Hollywood increasingly trusts her business sense and acting skills.
Actors now eagerly seek video game adaptations for their franchise potential. Sweeney’s lead role in “Split Fiction” puts her in a pioneering position in this profitable market. The game’s existing fans offer a ready audience that could turn into a multi-film series, like “Tomb Raider” and “Resident Evil” became ongoing franchises.
The project’s timing couldn’t be better after Sweeney’s recent box office success. Her romantic comedy “Anyone But You” showed she could draw audiences beyond dramatic roles, while horror thriller “Immaculate” highlighted her range. “Split Fiction” takes her into action-adventure territory for the first time, adding to her versatility.
Leading a potential franchise usually comes with big backend deals tied to box office earnings, merchandise sales, and international rights. These arrangements often exceed upfront payments by a lot, compared to single movies.
Working with director Jon M. Chu and the “Deadpool” writing team connects Sweeney with proven hitmakers. These relationships often create future chances, as Hollywood’s key players tend to work again with talent they trust.
“Split Fiction” lets Sweeney showcase both physical performance and emotional depth. She proves her skills go beyond character-driven dramas into effects-heavy blockbuster territory.
Hollywood Bets Big on Video Game Adaptations
Video game adaptations have become Hollywood’s latest goldmine, taking over from comic book movies as the go-to source for potential blockbusters. The trend took off in 2023 when “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” raked in GBP 1.08 billion worldwide. Only “Barbie” earned more that year. This year we have seen another success with the release of A Minecraft Movie and Steve’s ‘Lava Chicken’ which has clocked past the 700 Million mark already in just 3 weeks.
Studios are rushing to develop dozens of game adaptations. They see game franchises as treasure troves of proven intellectual property with ready-made audiences. Amazon Prime has grabbed “Bioshock,” while Netflix works on “God of War”.
Story Kitchen, which produces the “Split Fiction” adaptation, has emerged as a major force in this booming market. Their track record includes the hit “Sonic the Hedgehog” films plus upcoming adaptations of “Tomb Raider,” “Streets of Rage,” and Hazelight Studios’ “It Takes Two”.
All the same, some hurdles exist. Video game studios remain wary about adaptations that might harm their intellectual property. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnik stressed during a November 2023 earnings call that adapting games sets “a high bar” with substantial risks.
Game creators’ involvement in film adaptations often leads to better results. Hazelight’s studio chief Josef Fares, “Split Fiction’s” creator, shows how this shared approach helps recent adaptations strike a chord with hardcore fans and casual viewers alike.
FAQs
What is Sydney Sweeney’s role in the ‘Split Fiction’ adaptation?
Sydney Sweeney has been cast as the lead actress in the film adaptation of the video game ‘Split Fiction’. She will also serve as an executive producer on the project.
Who is directing the ‘Split Fiction’ movie?
Jon M. Chu, known for directing ‘Wicked’, will be helming the ‘Split Fiction’ adaptation.
Why is ‘Split Fiction’ considered a significant project for Sydney Sweeney?
This role marks a turning point in Sweeney’s career as it’s her first major venture into the action-adventure genre and allows her to have creative input as an executive producer.
Who are the screenwriters for the ‘Split Fiction’ adaptation?
The screenplay is being written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, the duo known for their work on the ‘Deadpool’ films.
How does ‘Split Fiction’ fit into the current trend of video game adaptations in Hollywood?
‘Split Fiction’ is part of a growing trend where Hollywood is increasingly turning to video game properties for potential blockbuster franchises, following the success of recent adaptations like ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’.
