‘Uncharted’ is a popular video game series that has been trying to make the leap to the big screen for some time. There have been many actors attached, and even more directors who exit as quickly as they sign on. This iteration has ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home’s Tom Holland attached to star alongside ‘Instant Family’s Mark Wahlberg, and we now have confirmation that ‘Zombieland’ and ‘Venom’ director Ruben Fleischer is now at the helm. Fleischer took over from the recently departed ‘Bumblebee’ director Travis Knight. We also have three new cast members to go along with this news.
Variety reports that Antonio Banderas has signed on for a role in the film. In addition, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ alum Sophia Ali will play the female lead, while ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ cast member Tati Gabrielle has a key role.
Banderas was recently seen in ‘The Laundromat’ and ‘Pain and Glory,’ the latter of which he received critical acclaim for. He is perhaps best known for playing Zorro in a pair of ‘Zorro’ films. Kids would know him as the voice of Puss In Boots in the ‘Shrek’ franchise. He can next be seen in ‘The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard’ alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Salma Hayek.
No word on who Banderas, Ali, or Gabrielle are playing, but fans of the video games should be able to make educated guesses, unless they are playing new characters.
The franchise follows treasure-hunter Nathan Drake on a quest to find things. The games have an ‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘National Treasure’ type vibe. The film would be wise to keep the same feel as those two franchises.
The recent draft of the screenplay is from writing duo Art Marcum and Matt Holloway (‘Iron Man,’ ‘Men in Black: International’). The previous draft was by ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ writer Rafe Judkins.
Things seem to be gaining momentum for the film, but I will believe it when the cameras begin rolling. ‘Uncharted’ has had so many false starts, that it is difficult to be optimistic about it actually happening.
However, filming should be underway this month, and wrapping late June. Shooting locations include Berlin and Spain. Sony plans on completing principal photography before ‘Spider-Man 3’ starts filming this July.
As of right now, ‘Uncharted’ is set to hit theaters on March 5, 2021. But as we’ve seen many times before, anything can happen.
Source: Variety
Jacob Tyler contributed to this article.