Scarlett Johansson wanted for Uncharted movie

Director David O. Russell would “love” to have Johansson play Elena in upcoming adventure

Words: GamesRadarTylerNagata on February 1, 2011

If director David O. Russell has his way, Scarlett Johansson will join Mark Wahlberg on screen in the upcoming film adaptation of the Uncharted game series. Speaking to Empire, Russell reiterated that he’s still keen on the idea of casting Robert De Niro as Nathan Drake’s father, adding that he would ‘love’ Scarlett Johansson or possibly Amy Adams to play the role of Drake’s love interest, Elena.

Although most of the interview focuses on the director’s latest film, The Fighter, Russell sounded most enthused when discussing the Uncharted film. “The game is very cinematic; there’s no question about it,” said Russell when asked about the status of the film’s script. “That’s what I’m working on real hard and I’m writing it as we speak and I’m really excited to make it.”

News that Russell has his eye on Johansson follows confirmation from Mark Wahlberg that Russell wrote the parts for Nathan Drake’s father and uncle with Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci in mind. With Wahlberg already onboard to play Nathan Drake, the Uncharted movie just might have one the most star-studded cast a film adaptation of a game has ever seen – but that’s only if Russell manages to assemble his dream team of actors.

Feb 2, 2011

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Platforms:

PS3

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Jaces - February 8, 2011 8:11 p.m.

Guess they're hoping a nice pair of hooha's will sell this movie instead. Disaster.
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SincualaS - February 3, 2011 12:09 p.m.

I actually have faith that maybe this can work. David O. Russell can obviously direct. Three Kings had a few sequences that I would call very video game-like. As for Mark Wahlberg and the rest of the casting choices, sure, they may not be the ideal lot, but there are also worse choices out there than getting Oscar winning and Oscar nominated actors. I'm also curious as to what Naughty Dog thinks about all this.
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CaptainSalmon - February 2, 2011 6 p.m.

You had me at Scarlett Johansson. No one should actually care about this. If it's going the way it is, there will be no audience at all for it, and it will bomb at the box office. AND THEN IT WILL NEVER BE DONE AGAIN. This is a blessing in disguise and everyone should take it as such.
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One-FISH- - February 2, 2011 5:54 p.m.

I'm fairly convinced that Ewe Boll is directing this thing from the shadows....
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BrunettePride - February 2, 2011 12:25 p.m.

@Ironarm You pretty much just summed up what I came here to say! It should be left alone, as should the now announced Heavy Rain movie. *rages*
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ZhugeLiang - February 2, 2011 5:36 a.m.

I think if there ever is to be a critical darling of a videogame adaptation, it will be made by the Cohen Brothers. They pay a lot of attention to capturing the atmosphere and character of their temporal/geographic settings (i.e. Los Angeles/Southern California in The Big Lebowski, the Texas deserts in No Country for Old Men, the old American West in True Grit), their scripts are very well-written, and their book adaptations generally honor the source material. I'd be keen on seeing how they handle a film based on a videogame, though I doubt they have the interest to do so.
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grayguwapo - February 2, 2011 4:01 a.m.

@ Mattdawarrior - I second you on that... she nearly resembles Elena and who would have a better voice act that the actual voice talent eh? And besides, she's already an actress and a pretty good one, I've seen her in Ghost Whisperer and she did a pretty ok job... I say cast her... Now, for Nate... what to do? what to do? Not that I don't like Wahlberg, I did like some of his movie and his acting is ok but same opinion as the others, I don't think his acting style, physique, voice, and facial reactions fit Nate at all... Why couldn't they have researched and played the game first before casting... why?!?! I'm excited for the movie but it gets less and less interesting every time they cast someone who doesn't fit... Don't get me wrong, I also think Johansson is an ok actress but she just doesn't fit Elena... I'll still watch this that's for sure but with lesser expectations... don't want to be too disappointed... *sigh* ...let's just hope the script and cinematography will be kick-ass (just like the games) so as to over-shadow the lame casting...
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sgloomy - February 2, 2011 3:19 a.m.

what the hell is happening to this movie? this could have potentially been great but now it seems they are doing everything they can to ruin it. oh well, hopefully it wont in anyway effect the games
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Ironarm - February 2, 2011 3:14 a.m.

This movie was doomed the SECOND it was announced. Uncharted doesn't have to be turned into a movie. Uncharted 2 is ALREADY an action blockbuster. David O Russell just needs to be sent away for a while. I so hope he doesn't win Best Director this year. I can't believe he got a nomination for Best Director while both Christopher Nolan and Danny Boyle got shafted for it. There is no god.
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NotBraze - February 2, 2011 3:04 a.m.

@Mattdawarrior, I've always said, if I were ever to adapt a video game or an animated TV show to a live action film I would first approach the original voice actors and see if there's anyway I could make them work in a screen test. If not *then* I'd look for other actors, but my priority would be authenticity over big names. That's exactly the problem here, Uncharted would be so easy to adapt to film that it seems as if they're trying to eff it up, but what's actually going on is that they simply don't care. David O. Russell and the producers of this film care *nothing* of the game which they're adapting or the fan base it has, they're just making a by the books cash cow. Popular actors? Check. Family friendly action? Check. Hot leading lady? Check. Oscar nominees attached to the picture for Hollywood cred? Check. There's no care given to honoring the source material, and it's just another example of Hollywood treating video games as the mentally challenged younger cousin that they don't want to associate with, but will simply out of family ties. Maybe one day a talented film maker who is also passionate, or at least understanding, about games will get the chance to make a game to film adaptation. And maybe one day we'll wake up to see that the sky has turned green and the grass has turned blue.
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MajorPonch - February 2, 2011 2:02 a.m.

This movie is already fucking ruined anyway. I don't even care who the cast is anymore. I really, really like Mark Wahlberg, but not as Nathan Drake. Never.
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icedoesnthelp - February 2, 2011 1:49 a.m.

Get Christian Bale or Micheal C. Hall in this, and there roles will be perfect (find a character for them to play), as there fantastic actors.
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celticsfan645 - February 2, 2011 1:34 a.m.

Wait just a minute. Today is the first of February. Oh My god, Tyler Nagata managed to perfect the anti reality accelerator and mastered temporal mechanics enough to travel BACK in time to deliver the article BEFORE HE EVEN STARTED WRITING IT.
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FriendlyFire - February 2, 2011 1:33 a.m.

@Mattdawarrior: I have to say, I agree. Too bad Hollywood seems to be so shortsighted.
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celticsfan645 - February 2, 2011 1:30 a.m.

You Know what, i think De Niro Would be good for sully. But the director does not have to be such a dumb butt about the movie. If he sticks to the source material, he will be fine.
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CatrParrot - February 2, 2011 1:11 a.m.

I don't really give a toss about the casting choices. Chances are that the movie will suck regardless of what they do at this point.
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HumorTumor - February 2, 2011 1:11 a.m.

OOh. I do like Amy Adams.
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GamesRadarCharlieBarratt - February 2, 2011 12:46 a.m.

I agree with everyone here. Scarlett is totally wrong in every way for Elena, and since I haven't been impressed with her acting since 2003's Lost in Translation, I don't want her playing Chloe either. Amy Adams, though? Now that's a good Elena.
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Turboash - February 2, 2011 12:36 a.m.

Guh... every time I see SJ I want to punch her in the throat. Might fix that man-voice she has.
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Mattdawarrior - February 2, 2011 12:07 a.m.

Hey, you wanna know who would make a good Elena? Emily Rose, look her up. She's the voice in the game and I'll be damned if she doesn't look like her too.
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