Andy Muschietti, the talented Argentine filmmaker known for his work on the It remakes and The Flash, has shared an exciting update regarding the film adaptation of Shadow of the Colossus. Sony Pictures first revealed plans for a live-action version over a decade ago in 2009, and they even brought the game’s director, Fumito Ueda, into the project. Initially, Josh Trank, who directed Chronicle, was slated to helm the film, but he had to step away due to scheduling issues.
At CES 2025, Sony not only shared news about the eagerly awaited Shadow of the Colossus adaptation but also announced a new series of live-action films based on its iconic games. Among these is a Helldivers movie, which has sparked some debate since many fans think the 1997 film Starship Troopers effectively represents the idea. Furthermore, a movie based on Horizon Zero Dawn and an animated version of Ghost of Tsushima were also confirmed.
During an appearance on Radio TU’s La Baulera del Coso program, Muschietti talked about the adaptation of Shadow of the Colossus and reassured fans that the film is definitely not “an abandoned project.” Given the lengthy development process, it’s understandable for fans to feel that the adaptation might have been sidelined. However, the director pointed out several factors that contribute to the extended timeline of reimagining such a beloved intellectual property. “There are elements that go beyond your passion and eagerness to create, and they relate to the popularity of a property like this,” he explained. Shadow of the Colossus is renowned as one of the greatest open-world games with poignant endings, and due to its vast scope, Muschietti mentioned that discussions about the project’s budget are still ongoing. He also confirmed that he has a preferred script among the various versions available.
Shadow of the Colossus Film Adaptation Gets Update From Director
Other games have sought to emulate the unique tone and gigantic colossi enemies of the original, including Capcom’s Shadow of the Colossus influence in the upcoming 2024 action RPG Dragon’s Dogma 2. Yet, Sony’s original action-adventure game remains an enduring classic cherished by gamers. Muschietti, although he doesn’t consider himself a “big gamer,” called the game a “masterpiece” and revealed that he has enjoyed playing it several times.
The genius behind Shadow of the Colossus, Ueda, has launched his own studio, GenDesign. They recently announced a new sci-fi game at The Game Awards 2024, which remains unnamed but undoubtedly channels the deep sense of solitude that characterized the 2005 masterpiece. While the high-definition remakes wrapped up with the PlayStation 4 release in 2018, the influence of Shadow of the Colossus is expected to carry on into live-action formats, appealing to long-time fans and welcoming new players into its enchanting universe.