Annapurna Animation is developing a new film titled Stray, based on the video game of the same name, released last year. After the success of the studio’s first feature film, NimonaAnnapurna Animation is all set to launch its next phase of films.
The videogame Stray puts players in the role of a stealthy cat who must navigate an underground city populated by robots and mutant bacteria with the help of a friendly drone, B-12. The animated film is in active development.
Robert Baird, who leads Annapurna Animation with Andrew Millstein, told EW of the project:
“This is a game about what makes us human, and there are no humans in it. It’s a buddy comedy about a cat and a robot, and there’s a really hilarious dynamic. So, there’s comedy inherent to that, but there isn’t a human in this movie. I think the fact that you see the world from the point of view of an adorable cat is one of the reasons why the game has become incredibly popular. How did they manage to Can we do it and how are we going to do it? Do we do it in the movie? We will do it, even though sometimes it seems impossible, but we know that it’s the essence of the game and the key to telling the story.”
Baird went on to say that there is “something so exciting” that the creators are trying to capture when adapting the game to film. BlueTwelve Studio, he explains, described the game as having “a sort of ‘hopepunk’ feel,” a narrative concept that optimism is a form of resistance. “I love that term, Hopepunk,” he says. “I think if we want to do this adaptation justice, this will be the first and greatest hopeful film ever made.”
Other titles in Annapurna Interactive’s roster of games include the time-loop thriller Twelve minuteswith the voice work of James McAvoy AND Margaret Ridley; critically acclaimed works such as Florence, if found… AND Voyage; mythical adventures like The Pathless AND Ash; and upcoming games like Cocoon, thirsty suitorsAND Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth. While the division heads won’t reveal what other games they’re considering for adaptation, Millstein explains why Stray it was the title they went to first.
“First of all, it’s just very popular. People engage with the game for a variety of reasons, and I think for us at Annapurna, who work with different creative people, it’s a puzzle. What is it about this game that’s so popular ? So the question is, how do you adapt a game into a long-form narrative that is incredibly respectful of the game itself and the audience, but also worthy of a film? That process is always part of the challenge.”
Can’t wait to see? Stray or any of these other titles adapted into films?
by Jessica Fisher
Source: Geek Tyrant
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
