Latest news with #PlayStationProductions
Metro
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Sony drops iconic mascot from PlayStation Productions line-up
Getting the sack? (Sony/YouTube) A staple PlayStation character appears to have been shoved to the side, as he disappears from a trailer ahead of the Until Dawn movie. LittleBigPlanet was once a key franchise for Sony during the PlayStation 3 era, but its prominence has dimmed over recent years. The last entry was 2014's LittleBigPlanet 3 on the PlayStation 3 and 4, which was the first mainline game not primarily developed by original creator Media Molecule. Since then, protagonist Sackboy has had his own platformer in 2020's Sackboy: A Big Adventure, along with a 2023 mobile game you probably didn't know existed called Ultimate Sackboy. If it feels like Astro Bot has taken over as Sony's default family friendly mascot, and that appears to have been confirmed in a new PlayStation Productions trailer. As highlighted by X user realradec, Sackboy has been scrubbed from the opening PlayStation Productions video at screenings of the Until Dawn film adaptation. 'I don't like this era of Sackboy erasure,' they wrote. A screenshot of the character line-up in this version shows Astro Bot, Ratchet & Clank, Nathan Drake, the Psycho from Until Dawn, and others, but there appears to be no reference to Sackboy at all. Sackboy prominently featured in the 2022 PlayStation Productions trailer (as seen below), which was played before screenings of Uncharted starring Tom Holland. It's unclear why Sony would drop Sackboy from the line-up, but the character has popped up elsewhere recently. Last year, Sackboy briefly appeared in an episode of Amazon's Secret Level, so it's possible this lack of representation is just an oversight. However, Sony hasn't treated LittleBigPlanet fans with much respect over recent years. In 2024, Sony permanently shut down the LittleBigPlanet 3 servers on PlayStation 4 after it was targeted by mods which threatened the game's security, wiping out access to millions of user-generated levels in the process. This came after Sony switched off the PlayStation 3 servers for LittleBigPlanet 1, 2, and 3 in 2021. An evolution of the user-generated levels concept was the basis of Media Molecule's 2020 title Dreams, but despite positive reviews, it failed to find an audience, and support for the game was dropped in April 2023. It's unclear what Media Molecule is working on next, and if it will see them return to Sackboy, but the studio was hit by layoffs in October 2023. Sackboy's last major outing – will it be his last? (Sony Interactive Entertainment) Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter, and sign-up to our newsletter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. Arrow MORE: GTA 6 release date announced and it's the worst news possible Arrow MORE: The Elder Scrolls 6 is still on the way – here's what we know so far Arrow MORE: Games Inbox: Will all video games be £80 from now on?
Time Magazine
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Magazine
We Need More Risks Like the Ones Until Dawn Takes
Survival is a game of odds determined by choice. Every action has a butterfly effect that impacts the decisionmaker and those around them. In some cases, hard choices must be made to achieve the optimum quality of survival. And the success or failure of those sacrifices is ultimately subjective. Those are the stakes of Supermassive Games' Until Dawn (2015), an interactive horror survival video game in which players take control of eight friends who become stranded at a cabin on Blackwood Mountain during a memorial for their friend's death and must survive myriad terrors…until dawn. Those same stakes are also true of adapting a video game for film or television, particularly when it comes to deviating from the source material. The very process of adaptation requires tough choices, and audiences' responses to those choices have bearing not only on the success of the film or show itself, but on the entire climate of video game adaptations in a pop culture space that is looking for both box office and ratings success stories, and new ways to engage audiences with popular IP. David Sandberg's Until Dawn, from Screen Gems and PlayStation Productions, has received a mixed reaction from audiences as a result of its own choices, alongside middling reviews and a modest first weekend box office, though low production costs mean it's likely to recoup if it hasn't already. But Until Dawn is too interesting, and by my count, too fun, an experiment in bringing video game mechanics to the big screen to be discounted. Instead of following the plot or characters of the game, Until Dawn introduces us to a new group of friends. Clover (Ella Rubin), Max (Michael Cimino), Nina (Odessa A'zion), Megan (Ji-young Yoo), and Abe (Belmont Cameli) are searching for Clover's missing sister, Melanie (Maia Mitchell), which leads them to a welcome center in an abandoned mining town, Glore Valley. Once there, they find themselves caught in a death loop, reliving the same night over and over again each time they are killed. The hook, and what sets Until Dawn apart from other time-loop films like Palm Springs, Before I Fall, and Groundhog Day, is that each night offers different monsters and horror scenarios ranging from a masked slasher villain to a witch, wendigos, and more. And each time the characters return to life, with the memories of what they faced and how they died, they come back sporting traces of the injuries that killed them, their bodies changing until they start to become another one of the creatures stalking this nightmare scenario. With 13 chances for all of them to survive together, the group is pitted against a ticking clock and must use the knowledge gained from their deaths to not only ensure their survival as a group but also avoid becoming 'part of the night' forever. There are plenty of nods to the game, and the film is set in the same world, with Peter Stormare reprising his role as the mysterious and manipulative psychiatrist, Dr. Hill. But the film expands upon the game's lore to create a unique, funhouse horror experience, a celebration of multiple horror subgenres and practical effects. Making a film out of Until Dawn was never an easy prospect, and the decision not to use the story or characters from the game was met with backlash from many fans. The game, written by Larry Fessenden and Graham Reznick, is a masterwork in modern survival horror. It's no surprise, given both writers' history and success in the horror movie space (including Habit, Wendigo, The House of the Devil, and X), that Until Dawn has the scale, scope, and character dynamics of a movie. Additionally, the game features motion capture performances and voice acting from recognizable actors, including Rami Malek, Hayden Panettiere, and Jordan Fisher. Until Dawn isn't a case of the cutscenes simply highlighting the quality of graphics. The game looks and sounds like a movie in every regard, from its opening song to the lighting choices and angles, and the way the characters move through the world. Supermassive's follow-up game, the equally excellent The Quarry, written by Reznick, Will Byles, and Alex Farnham, took things a step further by adding a movie mode that allowed 'players' to watch the game like a movie, and offered different options like 'Gorefest' for a more graphic experience, and the 'Horror History Visual Filter Pack' which gave the game three filter options: Indie Horror, which mimicked 8mm style, '80s Horror, which offered a VHS-style look, and Classic Horror, for a black and white filter. Both Until Dawn and The Quarry —along with Supermassive's series of shorter anthology horror games, The Dark Pictures Anthology, which Fessenden and Reznick kicked off with Man of Medan (2018) —have gained the attention and enthusiasm of video gamers and cinephiles. Given how thin the line between game and film was already, what was the point of making an Until Dawn movie? It's a question many fans asked upon the film's announcement. And the adaptation was never going to be as straightforward as its peers in this space. HBO has found immense ratings success and awards nominations with The Last of Us, which, while based on a PlayStation game far more action and gameplay-oriented than Until Dawn, follows the plot of the games almost beat for beat and sometimes shot for shot. Despite complaints that the show does little to justify its existence, and petty, often mean-spirited grievances over casting choices that don't match the game designs, The Last of Us has been deemed a massive success and a high point in video game adaptations. Also a success, while taking a very different approach, is Amazon's Fallout, which is set in the world and continuity of the games but introduces audiences to new characters within its vast, post-apocalyptic setting. But unlike The Last of Us and Until Dawn, Fallout is an RPG game in which gamers play as a character they've created and named, which makes the transition to a new protagonist for the series easier. Some have argued that Sandberg and writers Gary Dauberman and Blair Butler could've simply adapted Until Dawn beat for beat, like The Last of Us. Undoubtedly, the characters would have had to be recast, given that the originating cast is now 10 years older than their characters, but it was certainly doable, and seemingly what some fans of the game would have preferred. But the movie's creators have argued that that approach wouldn't have captured the spirit of the game, in which numerous branching paths exist depending on the player's choices. On the decision to not simply adapt the game, Sandberg explained his rationale in an interview with ScreenRant: 'The game is pretty much a 10-hour movie, so I think it wouldn't have been as interesting for me if we were doing just the game, because then it's going to be like a cut-down, non-interactive version of the game, which just wouldn't be the same thing. So, I was very excited to read the script and see that it took Until Dawn further and did more with it, but also kept—when you play the game, the fun part of it is sort of replaying it and making different choices for the characters and see different deaths and all these things. And that was so brilliantly incorporated in movie form, which is non-interactive, but you can still get the different outcomes.' Co-writer Blair Butler shared similar sentiments about her own reservations with rehashing the game. 'The remaster [released in Fall 2024] was coming out roughly the same time that we were hoping to get this movie together. And that was another reason that I think everyone involved, Gary, as well, didn't want to just remake the original storyline, beat for beat.' The existential need for experimentation The filmmakers' desire for creative freedom, while playing around within the world of Until Dawn, is an understandable one. And I'd argue that the film still feels of a piece with the game, with the characters fulfilling the archetypes you'd see in a Supermassive game, and Jennifer Spence's production design nailing the vibe and look of set pieces that would feel right at home in the game. Additionally, the film takes a page from the VR spin-off game, Until Dawn: Rush of Blood, which sees the player caught inside the mind of one of Until Dawn 's central characters and facing off against various nightmares inspired by his anxieties and fear of death. These aspects, along with the film implementing a version of the 'Chapter Restart' option in the game with the time loop mechanism, all capture the spirit of the game. What Sandberg's film is lean on is the quieter moments of the game that give players the option to talk to the other characters and learn more about them while building stronger relationships of both negative and positive impact. While there were certainly other choices that could have been made in bringing Until Dawn to the big screen, there's something of unique value in how the film works game mechanics, like our ability to restart when we make the wrong choice, into the narrative and theme of the story. If video game movies, especially those that already push the boundaries between film and television, are to have any longevity in Hollywood, then filmmakers have to do more than simply retell the games. Until Dawn may not strike the perfect balance, and there's an opportunity for this method of adapting the choice-based mechanics to do more work in the character department in the future. But as a play test, it's a successful first attempt at doing something new while incorporating the concept of the game. The alternative, and an option all fans of the game have, is to simply play the game again if we want to relive the exact experience of the game. Sometimes, even as fans of a game, if we want to see these properties survive and engage us in new ways, we just have to relinquish control.
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
All you need to know about horror adaptation Until Dawn including cast, plot and major changes
It is the latest PlayStation title to get a screen adaptation A fresh horror flick, inspired by a popular video game, is set to hit the cinemas with some notable alterations. Until Dawn, based on the PlayStation exclusive title of the same name, will be gracing the big screen from April 25. The original game drew inspiration from teen slasher films, adding its own unique spin for an immersive gaming experience. This film is the latest offering from PlayStation Productions, following in the footsteps of movies like Uncharted and Gran Turismo, as well as series such as Twisted Metal and HBO's The Last of Us. But who stars in the cinematic adaptation of Until Dawn? What's the storyline, and how does it deviate from the original game? Here's everything you need to know. Who stars in Until Dawn? The star-studded cast of Until Dawn features Broadway actress Ella Rubin as Clover. She's known for her roles in Netflix's The Chair, the Gossip Girl reboot, and the Oscar-winning film Anora, reports the Mirror US. Michael Cimino portrays Max, having previously appeared in How I Met Your Father. Odessa A'zion plays Nina, known for her guest role in the US remake of sitcom Ghosts, and she's also set to appear in the upcoming release Marty Supreme. Ji-young Yoo steps into the role of Megan, having starred in the Nicole Kidman miniseries Expats for Amazon Prime. Belmont Cameli takes on the character Abel, known for his role in the Saved by the Bell revival. Australian actress Maia Mitchell plays Melanie, recently seen in the series The Artful Dodger. What's the plot of Until Dawn? The film's synopsis reveals that a year after her sister Melanie mysteriously vanished, Clover and her pals venture into the secluded valley where she disappeared, hoping to uncover some answers. However, they find themselves brutally murdered, only to awaken at the start of their journey. Caught in a relentless time loop, they're compelled to endure the nightmare repeatedly. With each cycle, the murderer seems to morph into an even more horrifying entity. Their sole chance of breaking free is to survive until dawn. How does Until Dawn differ from the original game? Apart from the title and the narrative revolving around a group of teenagers, almost everything else has been altered from the original game. Until Dawn first hit the PlayStation 4 in 2015 before being revamped for the latest hardware and released on PS5 last year. The game boasted its own star-studded cast, including Rami Malek, Hayden Panettiere, and Superstore's Nichole Sakura. Similarly, the story kicks off a year after a mysterious disappearance. However, in the game, it's twin sisters who disappear without a trace, chased off a cliff by an armed stranger, but their bodies are never recovered. A year later, the girls' brother invites the group back to the cabin near the incident site. They soon find themselves hunted by a masked figure and bizarre creatures known as wendigos. The game offers multiple endings based on the number of group members who survive. The remake includes two post-credits scenes, one of which seems to tease a potential sequel. While the main objective is to keep as many characters alive until dawn for rescue, there's no time loop feature. Are any characters from the Until Dawn game in the film? Despite significant alterations to the storyline for the cinematic adaptation, one familiar face will be returning. Peter Stormare is confirmed to reprise his role as Dr. Hill in the movie. Stormare's impressive filmography includes Fargo, John Wick Chapter Two and Constantine. In the game, Dr Hill served as the psychiatrist for the missing twins' brother and appeared in hallucination sequences. How his character will be incorporated into the film version of Until Dawn remains to be seen.
Irish Daily Star
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Star
Until Dawn movie's one returning character explained and the key changes from PlayStation game
A new horror flick based on a popular video game is set to hit the cinemas, albeit with some significant alterations. Until Dawn, inspired by the PlayStation exclusive title of the same name, will be gracing the big screen from April 25. The original game drew its inspiration from teenage slasher series, adding its unique spin for an immersive gaming experience. This film is the latest offering from PlayStation Productions, following in the footsteps of movies like Uncharted and Gran Turismo, as well as TV series such as Twisted Metal and HBO's The Last of Us. But who stars in the cinematic version of Until Dawn? What's the storyline, and how does it deviate from the original game?Here's all you need to know. Peter Stormare will reprise his role as Hill in Until Dawn (Image: Sony) Who stars in Until Dawn? The cast of Until Dawn boasts Broadway actress Ella Rubin as Clover, known for her roles in Netflix's The Chair, the Gossip Girl reboot, and Oscar-winning film Anora, reports the Mirror US . Michael Cimino plays Max, having previously appeared in How I Met Your Father. Odessa A'zion portrays Nina, guest-starred on the US remake of sitcom Ghosts, and will also feature in the upcoming release Marty Supreme. Ji-young Yoo takes up the role of Megan, who starred in the Nicole Kidman miniseries Expats for Amazon Prime. Belmont Cameli plays Abel, known for his role in the Saved by the Bell revival. Lastly, Australian actress Maia Mitchell plays Melanie, recently seen in the series The Artful Dodger. What's the story of Until Dawn? Per the film's synopsis, a year after her sister Melanie mysteriously vanished, Clover and her pals venture into the secluded valley where she disappeared, seeking answers. They experience horrific murders, only to awaken and find themselves back at the start. Stuck in a relentless time loop, they're compelled to relive the nightmare repeatedly. Each iteration brings a different and even more horrifying killer. Their sole escape is to survive until dawn. How does Until Dawn differ from the original game? Fundamentally, aside from the title and the narrative following a group of teenagers, nearly everything else has been altered from the original game. Until Dawn first launched on PlayStation 4 in 2015. It was then revamped for the latest hardware and released on PS5 last year. The game boasted its own impressive cast, including Rami Malek, Hayden Panettiere, and Superstore's Nichole Sakura. Similarly, the story commences one year after a mysterious disappearance. However, in the game, it's twin sisters who disappear without a trace. They're chased off a cliff by an armed stranger, but their bodies are never discovered. The film does also follow a group of teen friends (Image: Sony) A year later, the girls' brother invites the group of friends back to the cabin near where the incident occurred. They are eventually hunted by a masked figure and then by bizarre creatures known as wendigos. The game endings alters ever so slightly based on the number of group members who survive. The remake includes two post-credits scenes, one of which seems to hint at a potential sequel. While the main goal is still to keep as many characters alive until dawn for rescue, there's no time loop mechanic. Are any characters from the Until Dawn game returning for the film? Despite significant changes to the story for the movie version, one character will be back. Peter Stormare is confirmed to reprise his role as Dr. Hill in the film. Stormare has appeared in Fargo, John Wick Chapter Two, and Constantine. In the game, Dr. Hill was the psychiatrist of the missing twins' brother and featured in hallucination scenes. How his character will be incorporated into the movie version of Until Dawn remains unknown. Until Dawn is in cinemas from April 25
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Twisted Metal' Sets Season 2 Release Date at Peacock
'Twisted Metal' Season 2 is coming to Peacock this summer. The NBCUniversal streamer has revealed that the second season of the action-comedy series will debut on July 31. Peacock has also released a new teaser for Season 2, which can be seen below. The show is based on the video game franchise of the same name. It originally premiered in July 2023. More from Variety 'Based on a True Story,' 'Mr. Throwback' Canceled at Peacock (EXCLUSIVE) Mariska Hargitay, Chris Meloni Reunite in 'Law & Order: Organized Crime' Season 5; Here's a First Look at Benson at Stabler's Hospital Bedside 'Friday the 13th' Prequel Series 'Crystal Lake' Casts Linda Cardellini as Pamela Voorhees The official description for Season 2 states: 'Following the revelations in the season one finale, John (Anthony Mackie) and Quiet (Stephanie Beatriz) find themselves entering the deadly Twisted Metal tournament, a sinister demolition derby hosted by a mysterious man known as Calypso (Anthony Carrigan). As they try to survive an onslaught of dangerous new foes and familiar faces alike, including the murderous clown Sweet Tooth (played by Joe Seanoa, voiced by Will Arnett), things get complicated for John when he reunites with his long-lost sister, the vigilante Dollface (Tiana Okoye).' The cast of the series also includes recurring guest stars Saylor Bell Curda, Lisa Gilroy, Richard de Klerk, Patty Guggenheim, and Michael James Shaw. Michael Jonathan Smith serves as the writer, executive producer and showrunner of 'Twisted Metal.' Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick executive produce, as does Mackie. Arnett and Marc Forman executive produce via Electric Avenue, along with Jason Spire of Inspire Entertainment, Grant Dekernion, Peter Principato of Artists First, Asad Qizilbash and Carter Swan from PlayStation Productions, and Hermen Hulst, the CEO of Studio Business Group at Sony Interactive Entertainment. The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television, PlayStation Productions and Universal Television. Directors on Season 2 are Phil Sgriccia, Bill Benz, Iain MacDonald, and Bertie Ellwood. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
