Jordan Vogt-Roberts has received the best possible endorsement for the movie adaptation of video game series Metal Gear Solid, after game director Hideo Kojima gave his blessing. The Metal Gear Solid franchise is one of the biggest in the video game world, and its twisting narratives have left a lasting impression on fans of the property. As such, it’s no surprise that the series was picked up for a film adaptation.
That said, adapting the tone and plot of Metal Gear Solid was always going to be something of a challenge. The series is built upon layer after layer of complexity, with a serious amount of self-referential nods thrown into the mix. As such, when director Jordan Vogt-Roberts was announced for the project he understandably has had to ensure that the Metal Gear Solid movie will remain true to the games.
The fact that Vogt-Roberts has shown care for Metal Gear Solid so far has not gone unnoticed, either, as shown by Kojima’s support for the director. Vogt-Roberts revealed his approval from the series auteur on Twitter, with Kojima writing that he is “convinced that no one but him can direct” the Metal Gear Solid adaptation in his liner notes to the introduction of the Japanese release of Kings of Summer. It’s going to be hard for Vogt-Roberts to get better praise than that for his punk rock Metal Gear movie.
It won’t come as much of a surprise, however. The two have met multiple times previously, with Vogt-Roberts talking with Kojima extensively about the film of Metal Gear Solid as well as Kojima’s next project, Death Stranding. Given how difficult adapting Metal Gear Solid to the silver screen could be, that level of attention is definitely necessary, and it’s clear that Kojima has appreciated this.
Beyond Kojima’s approval, there are other reasons why Vogt-Roberts would be a good fit for the series. The director has shown a strong level of understanding of how standard storytelling tropes work, as shown by his work on Kong: Skull Island, and that level of detail is almost compulsory for anyone attempting to adapt Metal Gear Solid’s vibrancy to film. Throwing someone with a similar skill set into the mix in the form of Jurassic World writer Derek Connolly also feels like something of an astute choice.
Vogt-Roberts apparently has his eye on some other projects of late, however. The director definitely has some interest in a Marvel film, given his talks over the Gambit movie and his desire to make a Marvel movie without superheroes. However, for now Metal Gear Solid fans will be hoping that the video game adaptation remains his priority.
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Source: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
