Could A Live-Action Final Fantasy Movie Happen?

With Nintendo recently joining the fight to prove that major video game series can be adapted to the big screen with The Super Mario Bros. Movie, fans have been calling for more. For future projects, that could include Final Fantasy. Of course, picking a movie for an adaptation to the big screen is no easy feat. A video game story has to be able to translate to (likely) a single movie while telling a cohesive tale that remains true to the series.

Anyone who has touched a JRPG will have at least heard of the Final Fantasy series, one of the most sprawling fantasy game franchises out there. With sixteen mainline games and many more expanding the universe, Final Fantasy has no shortage of epic stories. Many fans wonder whether one — or any — movie based on one of those stories would translate well enough to make a splash in theaters. The last thing anyone wants is a beloved series like Final Fantasy to release a live-action movie and join the live-action adaptation stinker-train.

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By  Tom Bowen

Would A Live-Action Final Fantasy Movie Make Sense?

The Mainline Final Fantasy Series

The creation of a live-action Final Fantasy movie would come with a lot of challenges. A movie could make sense, but it would have to condense an epic story down to two and a half hours at most. Making massive cuts to stories that take up to hundreds of hours to complete is a tricky thing. Luckily, though, the upcoming Legend Of Zelda movie will have to do this very thing, meaning it could provide a blueprint for a potential Final Fantasy movie. Realistically, the only mainline game that would make sense to adapt without making significant cuts or changes would be the original Final Fantasy for the NES. Aside from that, an original idea would likely be required for a film adaptation.

If a live-action effort were to be made, it would take a lot of money, regardless of which Final Fantasy was being adapted. It would require tons of heavy effects work, creative props, set and costume design, plenty of hours working on refining a script, and, of course, skilled creatives to direct and produce the film. The effort would be incredibly expensive in a live-action format. That cost is the biggest detractor from the potential of a live-action Final Fantasy movie. While the series is popular among gamers, getting general audiences interested in a high-concept fantasy film based on a game would be rather difficult.

What Game Would Be The Best to Adapt?

Picking a Final Fantasy game to adapt to the big screen would be just as hard as picking one to completely remake. Each game in the series brings something unique to the table. Some are steeped deep in fantasy tradition, while others take swings at adding sci-fi elements to the mix. Despite this, there does seem to be some agreement among fans on which Final Fantasy games would be the best to look at should a movie or show be made. The top picks from most people are Final Fantasy 7 (mostly because it’s a fan favorite), Final Fantasy 4, Final Fantasy 9, Final Fantasy 10, and Final Fantasy 14 (more on this one later).

Final Fantasy 7

In this sprawling story, the always quotable Cloud Strife and company go from simple mercenaries fighting an environmental threat, to battling to save the planet from destruction at the hands of Sephiroth. This game is currently receiving a modern remake one game at a time. The game’s current relevance does make it a great option for an adaptation, but the fact that the remake is being split into three massive games should explain why it might not be a perfect fit. If a massively expensive trilogy could be greenlit with only the most important parts of the narrative included, this could very well work. Still, Cloud’s hair might pose the toughest challenge of all in live-action.

Final Fantasy 4

While mostly forgotten by modern gaming audiences, Final Fantasy 4 was only the second game in the series that gamers in the West were able to play. Telling the tale of the Dark Knight turned Paladin Cecil, Final Fantasy 4 sees Cecil and his friends trying to save the world from a cosmic entity that threatens the relationships he holds dear. The game is a classic fantasy romp, complete with funny dwarves and creative enemies. With the right cuts and changes, Final Fantasy 4 could stand a solid chance at becoming a standalone live-action movie.

Final Fantasy 9

In a return to classic fantasy storytelling, Final Fantasy 9 sees the swashbuckling Zidane kidnapping and then working with Princess Garnet to defeat her villainous mother. With a lot of unique characters and heartfelt moments, Final Fantasy 9 could work either as a sprawling epic trilogy or as a standalone film. Ever since the release of the game, fans have been clamoring to get more iconic characters like Vivi and Steiner.

Final Fantasy 10

Because Final Fantasy 10 was the first game in the universe to be fully voice-acted, it seems to slot in perfectly whenever fans discuss potential live-action adaptations. This game tells another epic and classic Final Fantasy story, but this one might add the most heart to the mix. The relationship between the cast, the hauntingly beautiful moments from Yuna (and the more fun moments too), and that gut-wrenching ending all make for a cinematic story. With some streamlining of the game events, Final Fantasy 10 might be the best possible option for a movie adaptation of the series.

Is A Live-Action Final Fantasy Movie In The Works?

Unfortunately for fans hoping for a live-action Final Fantasy, there is no movie in the works. Given how massive the concept for something like that would be, that fact shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Even worse, there were plans to create a live-action TV series for Final Fantasy 14, and it seems like those plans have recently been canceled. An article from Kotaku recently discussed the recent death of a live-action Final Fantasy 14 series:

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Final Fantasy

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Creation Year

1987

Developer(s)

Square Enix

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Publisher(s)

Square Enix

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