New Fighting Game Movie in the Works: Eternal Legends

by Frank McDougall
in $$$, Action, Featured, Release
on 17 August 2024

A new live-action movie based on the obscure Sega fighting game series, Eternal Champions, is currently in development. Originally released in 1993 as Sega’s answer to the popular Street Fighter II and Mortal Kombat games, Eternal Champions gained a loyal following and even received a sequel. However, it was eventually discontinued when Sega decided to focus on promoting the Virtual Fighter series.

The game, which featured impressive graphics for its time, is set to be revived on the big screen. According to reports, the live-action adaptation will be penned by Derek Connolly, the writer behind Jurassic World. Toru Nakahara, known for his work on the Sonic movies, will be one of the producers.

While little is known about the plot, it is expected to follow the game’s premise of a god-like Eternal Champion trying to restore balance to the world through a martial arts tournament featuring characters from throughout history. The game features a diverse cast of heroes, including a Wild West sheriff named Dawson, a pirate named Riptide, and even a chicken from Vietnam named Crispy. The movie aims to capture the nostalgic appeal of similar video game movies like Mortal Kombat.

Eternal Champions joins the growing trend of video game movies, including planned adaptations of popular titles like The Legend of Zelda, Death Stranding, and Until Dawn. While movies based on video games have been successful financially, they also come with risks. The recent release of Borderlands received negative reviews from critics and underperformed at the box office.

Fans of Eternal Champions will have to wait for more details, as the movie does not yet have a release date. As the video game movie fever continues, it will be interesting to see how this lesser-known Sega franchise is brought to life on the big screen.

Facts not mentioned in the article but relevant to the topic:
– Eternal Champions was developed by Sega Interactive under the supervision of Michael Latham.
– The game was praised for its unique gameplay mechanics, including the “Overkills” and “Stage Fatalities” features.
– The game also had a time travel element, allowing players to battle in different eras and locations.
– Eternal Champions was known for its challenging AI and complex combos, making it a favorite among fighting game enthusiasts.

Key questions and answers:
1. Who are the main characters in Eternal Champions?
– The game features a diverse cast of characters, including a Wild West sheriff named Dawson, a pirate named Riptide, and a chicken from Vietnam named Crispy.
2. Who is involved in the production of the live-action adaptation?
– Derek Connolly, the writer behind Jurassic World, will be penning the movie, and Toru Nakahara, known for his work on the Sonic movies, will be one of the producers.
3. Is there a release date for the movie?
– No, there is no release date announced for the movie.

Key challenges or controversies:
– One key challenge could be appealing to both fans of the original game and a broader audience who may not be familiar with the franchise.
– Another challenge could be translating the complex gameplay mechanics and time travel elements of the game into a cohesive storyline for the movie.

Advantages:
– The nostalgic appeal of video game movies, like Mortal Kombat, could attract fans of the genre and create a built-in audience for the adaptation.
– The diverse cast of characters and unique premise of Eternal Champions provides an opportunity for creative storytelling and visual spectacle.

Disadvantages:
– The relative obscurity of the Eternal Champions game series may pose a challenge in generating mainstream interest and recognition for the movie.
– The risks associated with the video game movie genre, as highlighted by the negative reception and underperformance of recent adaptations like Borderlands.