Sign on Options
Theme:
To Dark

Splinter Cell movie not to be game remake?

Novelization author says movie will be "all-original" and not a rehashing of a previous title.

With its morally ambiguous, prison-set story, the forthcoming Splinter Cell: Double Agent looks to be a major departure from the series' traditional plots. However, many expected the forthcoming Splinter Cell movie to stick close to the Tom Clancy-inspired narratives of the games, which pit super-commando Sam Fisher against a host of international terrorists.

However, reports surfaced today that the big-screen adaptation of Splinter Cell may stray even further from its game roots. Speaking to the fan site The Fairer Sects, Raymond Benson, the author of the two Splinter Cell novels, said that the Splinter Cell screenplay "is totally original and not based on any existing game or my books."

Benson, who penned Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell (2004) and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Operation Barracuda (2005) under the nom de plume David Michaels, also said he was not involved with the production of the film. According to a Variety report from last August, its script is being rewritten by Daniel Pyne (The Manchurian Candidate). Peter Berg (The Rundown) was attached to direct, but dropped out last summer. No actor has been cast in the role of Fisher, who is voiced in the game by veteran character actor Michael Ironside (Starship Troopers).

Splinter Cell is currently in preproduction at DreamWorks SKG, which was recently purchased by Paramount. Ironically, Paramount sold the rights to Splinter Cell to DreamWorks last year.

40 Comments

  • thomas_bobbypin

    Posted Sep 25, 2007 7:08 pm GMT

    Wow i didn't even know that they were making a movie! this is sooo cool now i cant wait (well now new years is just around the corner so i guess its) 2 years! WOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!

  • Krazedperson630

    Posted Dec 23, 2006 3:21 pm GMT

    I'm glad Dreamworks are going to make the Splinter Cell movie, they're awesome so is the game.

  • kungfuwushumike

    Posted Jul 15, 2006 9:45 am GMT

    I think that if they get a good screen writer on the job, it could be pretty cool. But I think that I should play Sam Fisher. My look is a good blend of "cute as a button," and "eats rocks and craps gunpowder." Also if I get really drunk, the next day my voice sounds really gruff. AND I've been playing Counter Strike:Source for a while so I'm already pretty much a fully trained special forces soldier, so my expertise and experience would be invaluable to the production of the movie

  • GonorreahGoat

    Posted Jan 26, 2006 2:38 pm GMT

    it will suck, unfortunately - just like every other movie based on a game, or every game based on a movie.

    Oh well, as long as they don't screw up Lambert's amusing qualities I'll be happy.

  • Romanticide

    Posted Jan 4, 2006 3:18 pm GMT

    And the Resident Evil movie was a huge dissapointment, especially for fans.

  • Romanticide

    Posted Jan 4, 2006 3:16 pm GMT

    I'll bet Fisher isnt in it. I'll bet its a different Splinter Cell. But Bruce Willis for Fisher! He fits perfect.

  • benihya

    Posted Jan 4, 2006 12:20 pm GMT

    "Well they went this route with the first RE" you are right as far as the movie, but
    no one feel in love the movie characters as much as we love the game character, it would have been better to see the game characer come to live and
    keep the keep in game personalty.
    I wish my english was better bc i have much to say.
    and i agree 100% the gorge cloney is the perfect Sam fisher and no one else

  • psychoPat

    Posted Jan 4, 2006 8:51 am GMT

    I think you have it all wrong... Sam Fisher won't even BE in the movie.
    They'll do like they did with "The Sum of all fears" which the movie had nothing to do with the game but more with the novel. It will disapoint some, but at least, if they screw it up, it won't affect the game franchise in any way.
    & if it's anything like the title above, heck, the movie was better than the game... :-)

  • YukoAsho

    Posted Jan 4, 2006 5:53 am GMT

    Well they went this route with the first RE, and the movie turned out decent. There may be hope for this one yet.

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Jan 4, 2006 5:23 am GMT

    all-original? i bet they'll use SOME things out of the games that were made.

  • OPOLO

    Posted Jan 4, 2006 4:49 am GMT

    I just hope it's good

  • JimmyJazz4

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 10:21 pm GMT

    i herd that the guy playing sam is the dude from the italian job. And i clooney but i dont like the idea of him being sam fisher

  • ace_of_spades

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 7:18 pm GMT

    Thats cool, it seems like it will make a good movie. Everybody likes a good Tom Clancy movie.

  • langrisser2005

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 6:57 pm GMT

    hopefully it will be a success

  • Samanoske15

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 6:47 pm GMT

    Dear God why is this happening? Please this is cruel an unusual punishment. don't do this to one of my fave game series!!! Please!!!

  • Xaioling

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 5:23 pm GMT

    All the movies for Tom Clancy's books have had good production I am certain he will not let anything happen to Splinter Cell he will make sure of it. At least one would think so since he has been on all the production sets so far.

  • redrobodragon

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 5:10 pm GMT

    OH @!#% Dont freaking screw the game... it was good the way it was ((((

  • Mcpeer999

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 4:55 pm GMT

    Don't worry, this film is going to be directed by Peter Berg. Director of Wonderland, The Rundown, and Friday Night Lights. He's the man.

  • SpiritOf

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 4:41 pm GMT

    George Clooney: NO! Viggo Mortensen: YES!

  • LordOfMidnight

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 4:23 pm GMT

    I think an original story using characters people are familiar with is a better idea than trying to recreate the same story.

  • catpayne6

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 4:14 pm GMT

    i think george cloney shoul do sam fisher

  • Glitchhawk

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 3:58 pm GMT

    if They Reck the movie it might turn people away from the games

    i think Peter Jackson should Direct it. He Did Awsome with LOTR, and i havent seen Kingkong yet... but i hear its good.

  • TFSJackie

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 3:48 pm GMT

    I honestly think people might be overreacting a bit. The implication was not that the movie will stray away from the traditional layout of Splinter Cell, but that the plot for the movie would not be based on that of any of the games or books.

    But it seems better to get the movie going before we speculate about plot. It has no Producer and is still very much stalled.

    I am wondering if this movie will ever get off the ground.

    Gothachu, PLEASE don't insult Ed Wood by comparing him to Uwe Boll. >shows her "Ed Wood Is My Savior" tee shirt<

  • doomed51

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 3:26 pm GMT

    i feel sick...another good game going to the movies to.......die...

  • msteph05

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 3:14 pm GMT

    Clooney would make a great Fisher. Just remember when he played Batman and how he sounded when he talked, kind of deep and gnarly. Plus, Ironside is to big and can't really bring some star power to the movie.

  • mclazyj

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 3:08 pm GMT

    Why don't they just use Michael Ironside for the role of Sam Fisher. We are already use to hearing him as the voice of Sam Fisher, And his age would sync nicely with Sam's. Put on a good rug and he is Sam FIsher.

  • Donkeljohn

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 2:50 pm GMT

    Dreamworks has a good history with relevant, politically charged films. With the right Director from the Dreamworks line-up, we could see something at least entertaining, if not insightful.

  • Agent793

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 2:41 pm GMT

    Benihya, if the author of two Splinter Cell novels can dare call it "original," then who the hell are you to say that, "calling it all-original is BS"? Just because a movie-feature is being called "Splinter Cell" doesn't mean that it can't be original. // On a serious note, I don't like this idea at all. I want a Splinter Cell movie!

    Edit:
    I like the idea of Clooney playing Sam. But he better build-up some muscles!

  • SaitouZero

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 2:37 pm GMT

    Itf they don't get Clooney for Sam Fischer this movie will suck. Clooney is the PERFECT Sam, he looks like him and has a similar voice.

  • secily

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 2:37 pm GMT

    yeah this movie game is gunna blow chunks

  • thefoolagain200

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 2:23 pm GMT

    don't screw it up, damnit!

  • GothaChu

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 2:12 pm GMT

    All the movie has to do is follow the format set in all of the other Tom Clancy movies, and it will be gold.

    On another note: Uwe Boll is a genious. He is Ed Wood for our generation.

  • GreyFoxV1

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 2:07 pm GMT

    "Splinter Cell is currently in pre-production at DreamWorks SKG, which was recently purchased by Paramount. Ironically, Paramount sold the rights to Splinter Cell to DreamWorks last year."

    I'm confused :S

  • rockn2thebeat

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 2:04 pm GMT

    As long as it isn't as full of crap as the Resident Evil movies, I'm cool with it.

  • Kahones

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 2:04 pm GMT

    Why do movie companies always feel the need to radically change the game's plot/storyline. It's not like the game's story would be hard to make into a move. I just hope it's not another Doom.

  • benihya

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 2:02 pm GMT

    "all-original"
    this is BS, if it is 100% original they should not call it Splinter Cell, what we seeing here people is Hollywood hiding behind the game undustry to sell new produt discazed as something we know and love.
    I prefer watching an c+ movie that is related to the game than watching an A movie that has nothing to do with the game.

  • NeoJedi

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 2:01 pm GMT

    I think it should be good, lots of material to go by.

  • Legendaryscmt

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 1:39 pm GMT

    Pray that this is the second videogame movie that isn't screwed up (first being Mortal Kombat).

  • djwglpuppy

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 1:31 pm GMT

    As long as Uwe Boll does not direct it I will be satisfied.

  • Wickedlnl

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 1:27 pm GMT

    This better be good.Im sick of movies based on games that suck hardcore every time.

  • FIJIDAWG

    Posted Jan 3, 2006 1:27 pm GMT

    dear god don't screw it up!

Subscribe to GameSpot's YouTube Channel

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!

Related Game

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent Boxshot
Follow:
  1. Not Following
    Xbox 360: Follow
  2. Not Following
    PC: Follow
  3. Not Following
    PlayStation 3: Follow
  4. Not Following
    Wii: Follow
  5. Not Following
    PlayStation 2: Follow
  6. Not Following
    Xbox: Follow
  7. Not Following
    GameCube: Follow
Add to List
  1. Xbox 360
  2. PC
  3. PlayStation 3
  4. Wii
  5. PlayStation 2
  6. Xbox
  7. GameCube

Follow for the latest news, videos, & tips from experts & insiders

GameSpot Fuse
    Platforms:

    Recent News

    See All News »

    Site Blogs