Don your helmets and get ready for battle. It’s time to get in front of your TV screens once again to experience a world at war. Only this time, the battle will not be controlled by your game controller, but viewed directly on your TV. That’s right, the Battlefield video game series – which has a massive following for developers DICE and Electronic Arts, with over 60 million players – is getting adapted into a TV series.
The Battlefield video-game series was first started in 2002 with the release of Battlefield: 1942. The game was unique in that it featured a large area of play and allowed players to use a multitude of vehicles and weapons to go to battle with, rather than focus on the typical small scale maps that the FPS genre was synonymous for. Since then the series has grown immensely with multiple iterations being produced and many different eras of war being featured in the series.
And quite frankly, I’m not surprised. As much as video game to movie adaptations have generally turned into a massive disappointment, the success of Warcraft is no doubt keeping Hollywood interested and invested in its possibilities. What I like about this news however, is that they are not looking to adapt the franchise into a film, but rather a TV show.
One of the biggest issues I have when big video game franchises get turned into films is that the video games have a large amount of lore/story that is introduced over a variety of different games. When that is all squeezed into a 2-hour movie plot, inevitably its going to feel rushed and people are going to be left disappointed.
That Battlefield is a game though that doesn’t exactly have a lot of lore behind it and typically features campaign stories that can be finished in only a few hours, is perhaps going to be its biggest challenge to work with. This time around, they might actually have too little to work with and that could make all the difference.
The adaptation is being led by none other than Michael Sugar, who produced the Oscar winning best picture Spotlight and he is working with Paramount to work this into a TV show. He had the following to say on the news:
‘Battlefield’ has a tremendous built-in, engaged fan base, making it a highly coveted piece of IP primed for long-form adaptation. Together with EA and Paramount TV, we’ll develop the Battlefield TV series with the same commitment to robust storytelling that has made the game such a runaway success for nearly fifteen years.
Battlefield games are not exactly known for their robust story-telling, so I’m not sure which game he was playing. However, I do think there is enough within some of the stories and characters to expand and work with. I wouldn’t be surprised though if they opt to tell a completely fresh story with original characters rather than leverage some of the stories used by DICE and EA in the video-games. Paramount TV’s Amy Powell had the following to say on the adaptation:
Paramount TV actively seeks smart content from all sectors that will resonate with audiences and translate to compelling programming. EA’s ‘Battlefield’ has an incredibly dynamic narrative, coupled with a loyal fan base, which will allow us to bring this exciting and unique property to the small screen. We look forward to working with EA and Anonymous Content and thank Michael Sugar for his tenacity in bringing us this exciting project.
I’m intrigued to see how this one will work out. There is a lot of potential in a series like this working out, but then also so much that could go horribly wrong – especially given the fact that each Battlefield game focuses on a completely different era of war. How they work that fact into a TV series which will likely require continuity will be interesting.
This is just the initial announcement of the series, so it will likely be a while before we hear any further news on the TV show. Which edition of the game do you think they will look to focus on in the TV series?
Last Updated: July 13, 2016
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:09
Though war movies and series generally don’t really interest me much, this could be interesting.
Original Heretic
July 13, 2016 at 15:21
Generally I agree, the war stuff doesn’t interest me at all.
But a few here and there have been great, I absolutely adored Generation Kill, that Iraq thing with Alexander Skarsgard. Many years ago now.
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:23
I never saw that. Will check it out.
Original Heretic
July 13, 2016 at 15:26
TOTALLY worth it. It was actually the first time I ever saw Alex Skarsgard in anything, didn’t even know who he was, I just remember thinking “wow, this guy is really good in the role”.
Some other familiar faces in there as well, but none I can recall right now. This was a while back, might be tough to find now.
Darren Peach
July 13, 2016 at 21:15
Heathen. Watch Saving Private Ryan.
Captain JJ off track
July 14, 2016 at 07:47
I have, and it was a damn good movie without a doubt, but as a theme I would prefer other movies over war movies.
Darren Peach
July 14, 2016 at 12:09
And Fury…..Black Hawk Down…..Band of Brothers…….The Pacific……. Letters from Iwo Jima……..
chimera_85
July 15, 2016 at 13:42
Just watch Fury, I only watched it cos I had nothing better to do and it was such a good film.
Captain JJ off track
July 15, 2016 at 14:45
Still need to check that out. Looks good.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:13
If Battlefield ever followed the same route as COD….
http://www.gstatic.com/tv/thumb/movieposters/26774/p26774_p_v8_aa.jpg
Original Heretic
July 13, 2016 at 15:16
Wow this movie was terrible!
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:20
So it does have something in common with EA
XD
Ottokie
July 13, 2016 at 15:21
I read that whole sentence in owen wilson’s voice xD
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:22
He was in that movie? Ben Stiller probably gave him the year off
Darren Peach
July 14, 2016 at 14:51
Yep. WTF ? is the only apt way to try and comprehend this vile film…… Meanwhile, Tom Cruise is jumping on a couch somewhere.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 14, 2016 at 15:13
He’s jumping out of anger because the movie bombed so hard
Original Heretic
July 13, 2016 at 15:18
Could be good.
I remember the short halo series they did, Forward Unto Dawn. That was super cool, made me want more of it. And it also made me want to play Halo 4.
I think that’s the mark of a really cool game movie/series. If it makes you want to play the game, then it did a good job.
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:19
I’ve watched, and actually really enjoyed Nuka Break on YouTube. I know it’s lame at times, but hey, it’s Fallout.
Original Heretic
July 13, 2016 at 15:20
Never seen any of those. Worth the time?
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:22
They’re really short. Very. So maybe just give one or two a try, to feel it out. But as I say. It is very lame. I just like it because it’s Fallout. But their budget has gotten bigger over time. It’s fan-made though, so don’t expect amazing CGI.
Ottokie
July 13, 2016 at 15:19
Is this a new trend now with gaming companies…
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:20
Well, they’ve finally realised that games aren’t just played by 300kg men living underground, so there’s an actual market for it. 😀
Not that it’s always a good thing. Just look at what they did to Doom.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:21
Also Tomb Raider
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:22
Damn. That was also just a trainwreck. Proof that games and books tell better stories than movies ever will.
Original Heretic
July 13, 2016 at 15:23
Can I get more upvotes here for this comment please? Especially with regards to the latter sentence.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:24
Resident Evil introduced the Mila Jovovich character and that was gutsy. It’s still a guilty pleasure of mine
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:25
Yea. Because I was mostly a pc gamer growing up I didn’t play much resident evil, so for me the only things I recognised were the lickers, and generally just liked it as a zombie movie.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:26
Yeah, you would recognize lickers O_o
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:29
Haha. Uh, I got nothing.
Original Heretic
July 13, 2016 at 15:29
Hmmmmmm, Mila…… “Multipass”
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:29
Hahahaha
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:29
YES!
Greylingad[He Charges!]
July 13, 2016 at 15:20
Heh, If you think about BF:Hardlime, which was ok, but really not the best, they could pull it off if they do it right…
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:20
In that case I’d much rather have a PayDay series.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:25
Jeez how many times can you rob the same bank in one series? 😛
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:26
Hahaha. Uhm. Yea. Well, if it’s like the game they can just rob the same bank over and over and over, seeing how fast they can do it without alerting anyone 😀
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:26
XD
Greylingad[He Charges!]
July 13, 2016 at 15:26
Would that be before or after the security upgrades?
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:27
Also they’d be relegated to stealing the banks pens and lightbulbs after all the cash and furniture is gone
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:28
Seriously though, the backstories and stuff could be pretty cool. Maybe lead each season up to one single heist. That could work.
Greylingad[He Charges!]
July 13, 2016 at 15:25
The Quvantuuuuuuum Break Series wasn’t bad, just long enough to entertain…
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:27
Have not watched it.
Recently I’ve only been watching two things: Gotham and a re-watch of Futurama
But I am in need of something new.
th3SiCn3ss
July 13, 2016 at 15:26
ugh… why not Dragon Age or Mass Effect… now we have to watch people getting hit behind solid cover on TV as well….
or maybe we’ll hear random comments in the background… git gud nub!!! or jou ma se #$%@ also definitely a lot of tea bagging in the series assume…
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:27
Probably because people would fight too much over what sex Shepard must be?
Original Heretic
July 13, 2016 at 15:28
Easier to do something more real world. Less CGI involved. Bad sci-fi and fantasy effects just turns many people off of a potentially good series. You hear too many moans about bad effects, while nobody actually appreciates the great writing and characters.
Greylingad[He Charges!]
July 13, 2016 at 15:28
Serious moment, camera focuses on lead character, pans to left, where companion is tea-bagging a downed enemy…
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:26
GTA 5 needs a TV show dammit
Greylingad[He Charges!]
July 13, 2016 at 15:27
HOLY CRAP! That would be insane!
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:29
Imagine a Saints Row show. That would be like Breaking Bad meets Jersey Shore.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:30
I’d settle for 90% BB and 10% JS
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:31
Just some super beefy dude in a pink tank-top and a bad spray-tan, running after policemen and beating them to death with a giant dildo. Actually, forget about Jeresy Shore, they’ve got NOTHING on this 😀
Original Heretic
July 13, 2016 at 15:31
What’s Jersey Shore? Or is this one of things I don’t really want to know…?
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:32
I only know from internet memes, haven’t watched it myself. So I think you’ve been spared a great deal.
Greylingad[He Charges!]
July 13, 2016 at 15:32
You don’t want to know…
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:34
You REALLY,really don’t want to know. Take mankind. Look at all that we’ve achieved in the last 2000 years and just toss that out the window replacing it with sluts, guidos, bad spray tans and the most loud obnoxious humans to ever walk the Earth. They condensed everything wrong with us into that show
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:34
Benoni at the beach. XD
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:35
XD XD XD
Original Heretic
July 13, 2016 at 15:36
Wow, sounds awesome! If I had the IQ of a gnat, perhaps. Or am I being mean to gnats?
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:36
Poor gnats 🙁
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:36
Damn, I wrote that exact same thing. You win this one Hammer. 🙂
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:37
I’d rather win that sandwich I mentioned earlier
Captain JJ off track
July 13, 2016 at 15:38
Hehehe.
Original Heretic
July 13, 2016 at 15:40
Is it that time of the day? “Damn, I’m super hungry, but if I eat anything now, I’m going to miss out of awesome supper.”
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 15:42
Eat both and a midnight snack
Original Heretic
July 13, 2016 at 15:46
I cannot! As it is, my wife is trying to fatten me up. I’m convinced she’s going to try and eat me one day.
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 13, 2016 at 16:11
No women wants to eat me……wait what?
Darren Peach
July 14, 2016 at 14:53
2000 years ?
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
July 14, 2016 at 15:12
Or whenever civilization started, I gave it a rough estimate
Darren Peach
July 14, 2016 at 15:14
Given how short our time is, I doubt it matters much 😉
Darren Peach
July 14, 2016 at 14:52
Steer clear…… Guido’s ( is this racist ? ) and all.
Krabby Paddy
July 13, 2016 at 15:38
Boring. War. War never changes.
Avithar
July 13, 2016 at 16:25
biggest question is will it last?