From blockbuster franchises like Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe to a long list of classic animated properties, Walt Disney Studios has produced some of the most beloved films of all time, yet its popularity among certain demographics is not as high as it once was. According to a recent Variety article by Matt Donnelly, Disney is pursuing projects that will primarily appeal to a young male audience, specifically listing “splashy global adventures and treasure hunts” as stories that would fit that niche. Such a description perfectly fits the 2022 film Uncharted, an adaptation of the video game series of the same name. Uncharted followed treasure hunters Nathan “Nate” Drake and Victor “Sully” Sullivan, portrayed by Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg, respectively, on a mission to uncover Ferdinand Magellan’s fortune.
Though Uncharted was not a Disney production, Disney struck a deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment to bring the film to Disney+. Disney could potentially do the same for an Uncharted sequel or even put some money towards producing the film as a joint effort with Sony. Though the two studios are often at odds, Disney and Sony have proven a willingness to cooperate on projects such as the MCU’s Spider-Man films, which also happen to star Holland. An Uncharted sequel could be highly profitable for both companies, especially given the success of other video game adaptations over the past few years.
An Uncharted Sequel Could Majorly Improve Upon the First Film
Uncharted earned $407.1 million dollars at the box office on a budget of just $120 million, so it should come as no surprise that an Uncharted sequel soon entered development, but there has been no news on the subject for over a year. Despite the film’s financial success, reviews for Uncharted were mixed. It currently sits at a 41% critic score and 89% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The most common critique levied at Uncharted was simply that it felt safe and generic, doing little to stand out from other films in the action-adventure genre.
This flaw could easily be addressed in a sequel. Now that the status quo has been established for the cinematic versions of Nate and Sully, future installments can take the narrative in more unusual directions. The games followed a similar trajectory. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune had an enjoyable plot, but it was a rather straightforward treasure hunt that took clear inspiration from films like Indiana Jones. It was not until Uncharted 2: Honor Among Thieves that the series truly hit its stride and began to carve out a unique identity. A potential way to shake up the Uncharted formula would be to introduce supernatural elements, which have frequently played a part in the games but were absent from the film.
The casting choices were also unpopular among fans of the Uncharted games, as Holland and Wahlberg bore little physical resemblance to Nate and Sully. Both were significantly younger than their game counterparts, and the latter was missing Sully’s signature mustache, aside from a brief appearance in the post-credits scene. However, both actors are a few years older now, and they could be aged further through the use of subtle makeup. Simple changes like Nate having some stubble and Sully having gray hair would go a long way towards bringing the characters more in line with fan expectations. Opinions on the film have become slightly more favorable over time, as evidenced by the success that it found when it made its way to Prime Video earlier this year.
The Uncharted Series Has Untapped Potential
Tom Holland looking furious and tired in Uncharted
Image via Sony Pictures Entertainment
The Uncharted film did not directly adapt the narrative of any individual game, instead telling an original story that incorporated a few of the series’ famous plot points and action set pieces, so a sequel would probably do the same. The first film introduced a couple of plot threads that could be followed up on in future installments. A scene towards the end of the film revealed that Nate’s brother Sam, who was believed to have been killed by Jo Braddock, was secretly alive and in prison. Sam played an important part in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, in which the Drake brothers reunited and set out to find the hidden pirate colony of Libertalia in Madagascar. The film’s post-credits scene also showed Nate acquiring “an old Nazi map” that belonged to someone named Roman. This was a reference to the first game, in which rival treasure hunter Gabriel Roman competed with Nate and Sully to discover El Dorado, the legendary city of gold.
Additionally, Uncharted director Ruben Fleischer has expressed interest in adapting a specific moment from Uncharted 4. One of the game’s standout action set pieces was a car chase through the streets of Madagascar, in which Nate, Sully, and Sam were pursued by an armored vehicle. It was a very cinematic scene, so it would slot well into a film adaptation. Aside from those elements, another likely inclusion in the sequel would be Nate’s love interest, the journalist Elena Fisher. They met in the first game, when she documented his search for the coffin of his ancestor, Sir Francis Drake. Despite the first Uncharted film’s faults, a sequel could be exactly what Disney needs to win back favor with its lost demographic, assuming Sony wants to cooperate.
Release Date
February 18, 2022
Runtime
116 minutes
Director
Ruben Fleischer
Cast
