Movies based on video games tend to be terrible. Granted, a few have overcome the odds and resulted in enjoyable films. But for some reason, Hollywood has a very low batting average when it comes to bringing our favorite games to the big screen. So now it’s going to try the small screen instead. The best-selling ’90s action adventure CD-ROM puzzle game Myst is being adapted for a new television series, written by Thor and X-Men: First Class screenwriter Ashley Edward Miller.
Deadline reports that Village Roadshow Entertainment Group has tapped Miller to lead its Myst project. Miller will write the first episode and serve as showrunner. The screenwriter was responsible for arguably the best film in the X-Men franchise, and he is also writing the announced Big Trouble in Little China sequel. Miller also has plenty of experience writing for TV, including work on Andromeda, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and Fringe.
Myst co-creator Rand Miller will develop and produce the show with his youngest brother Ryan Miller. Isaac Testerman and Yale Rice at Delve Media will also join the Village Roadshow production. Deadline says the project could also expand to “a multi-platform universe that includes film, scripted and unscripted television content.”
Brothers Rand and Robyn Miller created Myst. The first-person graphic adventure game, released by Cyan in 1993, went on to become one of the most successful games of the decade. With 15 million copies sold, it was bested atop the all-time rankings in 2002 by The Sims.
It’s easy to see why the game, where the ancient D’ni civilization can write books that create portals to other worlds, could make for a compelling series. The show can travel to any type of place it wants. And Myst covers 10,000 years of history and lore. That’s a lot of material to pull from. We also expect the show will involve the game’s primary non-playable character Atrus, who appeared in all five games.
As long as he doesn’t appear in even one movie, we like the odds of a live-action Myst being good.
Featured Image: Cyan