Movie man buys Mass Effect rights

By Ellie Gibson Published 19 September, 2008

Could BioWare's RPG make it in Hollywood?

A top Hollywood producer has snapped up the rights to turn Mass Effect into a movie.

His name is Avi Arad and he's quite a big deal actually, having previously produced films such as Spider-Man, Iron Man, Blade, X-Men and Fantastic Four.

Now, according to Variety, Arad has turned his attentions to BioWare's sci-fi RPG.

It's very early days so there's no word whatsoever on a release date or any possible casting options. Who would you like to see playing Commander Shephard, readers? We vote for Bruce Boxleitner or Claudia Christian, obviously.

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (36) Latest comment 3 years ago

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  • Eraysor #1 3 years ago

    I accidentailly made my Shephard look exactly like Vin Diesel.

    I hope this guy doesn't cock it up, because I really liked Mass Effect's storyline.
    Edited by 1 at 19/09/08 @ 09:11

  • andywilkie35 #2 3 years ago

    agreed

    this and Bioshock could actually be decent...of course they could completely fuck them up though, bah

  • Thalanos #3 3 years ago

    Seth Green IS Joker so that casting would have to be a no-brainer.

    Mass Effect's setting and plot (especially the final act) were it's strongest points so I would have high hopes for a movie.

  • menage #4 3 years ago

    This could be very good, if they stick to the sci-fi bits and don't add loads of romantic crap and humor which doesn't fit.
    Which we know, will be there.

    I loved Mass Effects story. Very Babylon 5.

  • PlugMonkey #5 3 years ago

    Interesting one this. How do you cast a lead character who was completely different to everyone who played it?

  • menage #6 3 years ago

    Just make her or him a nobody as well. So some unknown actor. Asexual as well:p.

  • The-Bodybuilder #7 3 years ago

    If they keep failthulto the game, the ME has the potential to be a brilliant and huge sci-fi movie.

    I wonder, how did this guy manage to know about the game?

  • DanWhitehead #8 3 years ago

    Interesting one this. How do you cast a lead character who was completely different to everyone who played it?

    Turn it into a videogame instead of a film. Then everyone can make the character look how they want.

  • The-Bodybuilder #9 3 years ago

    @ Plugmonkey

    Pretty easy, it means they can pick anyone they want.

    Even eddie murphy.

  • gmmonkey #10 3 years ago

    I hope uwe directs.

  • Xerx3s #11 3 years ago

    They would have to seriously axe the storyline as it is one that is very incompatible with film.

    This can only end in tears.

  • autogunner #12 3 years ago

    the main storyline was very good, very tight, and very well voice acted. It doesnt really need a film does it? its one of the most cinematic experinces i have had gaming as the tension and pace towards the end was fantastic and the comabt so easy it played itself. with some minor cutting it could fit into a film script easy

  • Slabbathepave #13 3 years ago

    why do we want a movie? Mass Effect is one of the first games i played that could stand on its own and be taken seriously in both presentation and storyline.... making a film based on the same game would be the single most pointless anouncement since the bioshock film.

    This obsession with films.... unless a film enhances what we already have why bother? (except for the promise of many many riches)

    If they do a film the golden rules are (and none of them have been followed yet) feature characters from the game, dont change a thing dont alter the exisiting plot for a retelling. Set it before or after and possibly during but allways involving what we already know. Dont undercut the game dont make the game less valuable than it already is. Compliment the game, be as one with the game... keep both kung-fus strong and powerful.

    They wont do that they want more people than gamers to fo see it. So it will be shit. So will Bioshock. All shit. This whole Hollywood mining games for films thing is a personal pet peev.

    Fucking arsholes.

  • Slabbathepave #14 3 years ago

    ''GET OUT!!''

  • PlugMonkey #15 3 years ago

    Pretty easy, it means they can pick anyone they want.

    Well, obviously they can, but the same is true of any license.

    The point is that whoever they cast it won't be MY Sheppard (or if it is, it won't be anyone else's), so it won't really be Mass Effect, as I know it. So what would be the attraction of seeing the film over any other sci-fi?

    If your license doesn't actually include a lead character, what's the point of paying for the license? The lead character is generally considered one of the more important bits when you're forking out for something.
    Edited by 1 at 19/09/08 @ 10:17

  • Andy247 #16 3 years ago

    This movie is already banned in Singapore because of it's "explicit" lesbian sex scene.

  • Thunderbolt #17 3 years ago

    Hey it cant all be bad

    It will have full-on graphic sex... well according to Fox News that is.

    [link url=http://www.grayhouse.com/2008/02/10/sc are-tactics-the-mass-effect-scandal/
    ]http://ww w.grayhouse.com/2008/02/10/scar...[/link]

    LOL

  • Razorus #18 3 years ago

    This guy won't mess it up. He's the Marvel guy, so he's alright.
    I sense a Marvel Comics series on the horizon.

  • Thunderbolt #19 3 years ago

    'Not to put a damper on things but Avi Arad had produced:

    # The Incredible Hulk (2008)
    # Iron Man (2008)
    # Punisher: War Zone (2008)
    # Bratz: The Movie (2007)
    # Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
    # Spider-Man 3 (2007)
    # Ghost Rider (2007)
    # X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
    # Fantastic Four (2005)
    # Elektra (2005)
    # Blade: Trinity (2004)
    # Spider-Man 2 (2004)
    # The Punisher (2004)
    # Hulk (2003)
    # X2 (2003)
    # Daredevil (2003)
    # Spider-Man (2002)
    # Blade II (2002)
    # X-Men (2000)
    # Blade (1998)

    Could either be classic like Spiderman or not so classic like um .. Ghost Rider. LOL

  • qoobah #20 3 years ago

    Oh God no. I am yet to see a movie adaptation of a game that isn't complete and utter shit. And CV of this Arad guy isn't exactly bearing any promise. Mass Effect was the single game that came close to being a form of semi-sublimed narrative on it's own, but I'm pretty sure it will make a pretty poor movie, because movie makers still can't find a successful form of transferring game stories to the big screen and focus on irrelevant elements instead (or on simply milking games fanbase). Why make a movie that is bound to be shit out of a perfectly good game is beyond me.

  • Chufty #21 3 years ago

    Mass Effect has a brilliant setting; they've created a detailed, imaginative world, alien races with proper and believable histories. The brand has the potential to spawn successful films, maybe a TV series, spin -offs and books.

    It won't though. The film will be crap, and Mass Effect will merely be a succesful videogame franchise. I mean, just look at this Avi Arad's track record; some fairly decent films early on but since then he's produced some utter rubbish.

    He also hasn't done "proper" sci-fi before.

    And, it's a film of a game.

  • Collymilad #22 3 years ago

    Hollywood had better not screw this one up, lots of potential here.

    Who am i kidding? They will screw it up.

  • GamesConnoisseur #23 3 years ago

    Mass Effect the movie I m intrigued but think they cannot possibly get all the main plots, the scale of the universe, the hidden threat and the politics (quite like Babylon 5 as others said) into one sitting?

    However if they skims the best part, and ensure audience can appreicate the story and the plots without making its too murky it can works. Same as they concised the universe of X-Men, Marvel heroes into viewable and enjoyable film!

    As other say, the game on its own is a worthy filmic narrative, such as Hard Rain on PS3 would be I expect, so why bother transferring it over when it is already mostly a movie but an interactive one?

    Still wont stop me going to watch it if its ever get released! For that lesbian scene if nothing else!!!

  • BobsUncle #24 3 years ago

    Micheal Ironside has to be in it.

  • RexRunti #25 3 years ago

    Avi Arad is essentially just the producer for Marvel, be it movies, cartoons or whatever. Producers have sod all to do with the making of a movie anyway and I for one think a Mass Effect movie could be great, and i'm hoping for a female, preferably lesbian, Shepherd (and not for pervy reasons (well not just for pervy reasons)). Of course they could just as easily base it on the prequal book.

  • Superastic #26 3 years ago

    Well, this had to happen sooner or later. It was kind of inevitable. Lets face it though, as much potential as this franchise has, it will probably end up some Riddick-type goo.

    The thing is, I'd like to see a good trilogy that captures the essence of the Mass Effect universe.

    My first character, and I'm kind of ashamed to write it, was a Renegade Angelina Jolie lookalike. Every cut scene I'd think: Man, an iron fisted role like this would do her good! She is kind of overused tho. And many, including me (depending on the movie), despise her.
    Edited by 1 at 19/09/08 @ 13:43

  • defdaz #27 3 years ago

    Can't believe some people are dissing Arad's CV!! :o *shakes head*

  • qoobah #28 3 years ago

    @RexRunti

    It's very untrue that the producer has no say on how the movie will turn out. A producer holds the license, the money, organizes production and decides who gets hired to make the movie - from screenplay writer to director to cinematographer. In theory he should work with the director so that creative vision is fullfilled as best as it can be but more often than not a producer asks for something, sometimes very fundamental, to be changed and usually it gets changed because he holds the reins - the money.

    In fact Hollwood moviemaking is notorious for being overly dependant on producers and their idea of what's best for the project, which quite often turns out to be counterproductive (see Arads CV).

  • Gartt #29 3 years ago

    Well look at it this way, at least its not Uwe Boll who got his sweaty mitts on the license. Ive seen a few interviews and articles with Avi Arad and he seems pretty genuine, theres no way marvel would be where they are today without him. Give him a chance and stop being so eternally pessimistic and even if the film is crap who cares youve still got the games to go back to and play.

  • man.the.king #30 3 years ago

    If this ever came to fruition as a decent movie, it might be fun to see Christian Bale in the title role. He seems to be able to fit into most roles with ease.

  • Collymilad #31 3 years ago

    The point is, there is great potential in so many videogames for making movies of them.

    Yet, everytime someone makes a crap one based a series, they reduce the chance of another being made (simply because you can only make so many movies based on one thing) - then, in turn - they reduce the chance of the good movie that the games deserve EVER being made.

    That's why it matters.

  • dustrat #32 3 years ago

    Oh no. Mass Effect IS already a movie. No way the could make it any better as a motion picture.

  • actionfitz #33 3 years ago

    squarejawhero
    19-Sep-08 10:10:11

    "Babylon 5 is a big pile o shit!"

    Slabbathepave
    19-Sep-08 10:13:28

    ''GET OUT!!''

    LOL
    /win

    on topic:
    "sex with blue aliens for everyone!"

  • Scimarad #34 3 years ago

    It just wouldn't be the same without my Shephard...

  • Razorus #35 3 years ago

    Let's make a few points here. Yes, the Producer is important but the work is actually done by several minions, so it depends largely on them. Also, Bioware wouldn't let anyone piss on their franchise.
    Another thing that many of you are forgetting, is that ME is a product, a franchise, a universe. The movie should not and hopefully will not, be a direct adaptation of the game. Simple reason being that everybody's experience is different. They should set the film in the same world but tell a different story, just like the novels. I don't want to see Commander Shepard on the screen because he won't look like a horrifically scarred albino with mutton chops like my Shepard.

  • curtlikesmeat #36 3 years ago

    Bilbo Bailey frowns at the mention of Babylon 5 in this post ;)

    P.S. Babylon 5 was actually awesome, true story - would much rather see a film of that!