Final Destination Bloodlines Duo To Helm Long-Awaited Metal Gear Solid Movie
Sony nabs directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein in an exclusive first-look deal, kicking off with Metal Gear Solid as their first film.
Here we go again: one of the most legendary video game franchises on the planet is (supposedly) getting the big Hollywood treatment—this time, for real. And, yes, I know you’ve heard that before. But let's dig into what’s actually happening with the long, weird saga of the Metal Gear Solid movie, because things are finally moving, at least on paper.
The Directors: Now Entering, Lipovsky and Stein
Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein—the duo behind the upcoming Final Destination: Bloodlines—are officially taking the reins on the Metal Gear Solid film adaptation. Not only that, but they just inked a first-look deal with Sony Pictures. (In industry speak, Sony now gets dibs on any movie ideas these two cook up.) Both will direct Metal Gear Solid, and their production company, Wonderlab, is in the mix too. Wonderlab isn’t just there to make their own stuff; the plan is to eventually help launch projects from other directors as well, aiming for ‘character-driven, genre projects with commercial appeal’.
Wait, Haven’t We Heard This Before?
Oh yes—Metal Gear Solid has been on the road to Hollywood for literal decades with all the false starts you’d expect. Here’s a quick rundown:
- 2006: Hideo Kojima, the series’ creator, first announces there’s a movie adaptation in the pipeline. The “pipeline” here means “development limbo”, not anything you could actually watch.
- 2015: Kong: Skull Island director Jordan Vogt-Roberts comes onboard. Fans get excited. Not much happens.
- 2020: Oscar Isaac is reportedly attached to star as Solid Snake. Again, fans are amped—who doesn’t want Poe Dameron sneaking around in a bandana? But by 2024... he’s out.
- 2024: Vogt-Roberts is also out. Lipovsky and Stein are in. So, yes, the merry-go-round of adaptation continues, but at least there’s movement.
The People Behind the Curtain
On the producer side, we’ve got Avi Arad, who’s made a sizable chunk of the Marvel movies you’ve actually seen. He’s joined by his son, Ari Arad. If that feels familiar, it should: Avi’s also attached to Sony’s live-action Legend of Zelda adaptation (Sony apparently has a thing for fan-favorite game franchises).
Metal Gear Solid in 60 Seconds
If you’ve managed to dodge twenty years of pop culture: Metal Gear Solid is a stealth action series that started in 1987. We’re talking about a franchise that’s sold over 65 million copies, helped launch the stealth genre, and has a fanbase that will absolutely tell you about the “cinematic nature” of its cutscenes, whether you ask or not.
The plot basically revolves around Solid Snake, a laconic, bandana-wearing icon who deals with evil organizations, nuclear robots (the Metal Gears), clones, double-crosses, existential crises, and a lot of hiding in cardboard boxes. Over the years he’s shown up everywhere, from Super Smash Bros. Brawl, to Fortnite—so it’s not like Snake is a stranger to mainstream audiences.
About Those Directors...
Lipovsky and Stein are kind of an odd couple in the best way possible. Nineteen years ago, they met as rivals on Spielberg’s short-lived reality show On the Lot. Since then, they’ve handled everything from the 2018 indie sci-fi flick Freaks (pretty solid if you haven’t checked it out) to the live-action Disney Channel Kim Possible movie. Now they’re jumping from cult genre projects to one of the most recognizable IPs in gaming.
Sony Loves These Guys
For what it’s worth, Sony’s brass is extremely hyped about their shiny new deal. Here’s Sanford Panitch, Sony Pictures’ Motion Picture Group President, going full PR-mode:
'Zach and Adam are thrilling storytellers, masters of visuals and suspense, and two of the most impressive director/producers working today. With projects across all the company’s film labels, we are so happy to create a home for them, and proud to have them as part of the Sony family.'
In other words, Sony’s betting big that these two can turn at least some of their wild ideas into watchable, sellable movies.
The Bottom Line
Will this be the time Metal Gear Solid actually makes it to screens? I’ll believe it when I see casting and a production start, but at least there’s proof of life—and a couple of directors whose careers are heading noticeably upward. Until then, try not to let the 'who’s in, who’s out' drama get to you. And if anyone from Sony is reading: just don’t forget the cardboard box.