Remember the ’80s arcade and video game “Rampage”? Well, it’s going to make its return soon, this time as a feature film.
That’s not the only good news, as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has reportedly signed on to star in the upcoming “Rampage” movie. The story for the adaptation is currently kept “under wraps”, but Johnson is said to play the role of the hero and main protagonist in the film.
New Line Cinema will be producing the live action movie, with Beau Flynn (known for producing “Journey to the Center of the Earth”) and John Rickard (known for producing “Horrible Bosses“) attached to produce via their companies FlynnPictures Co. and Rickard Pictures respectively. While the position of director is still open, Ryan Eagle has been announced as the scribe for the movie.
Developed by Bally Midway, “Rampage” is a 1986 arcade game where players play from the perspective of one of the 3 gigantic monsters, George (a gorilla), Lizzie (a dinosaur), and/or Ralph (a werewolf), as they try to survive the onslaught of military forces. The game takes place across North America in a span of 128 days, with players encouraged to cause as much mayhem and destruction as they can while playing.
The arcade game was unexpectedly popular, as it was soon ported to video game consoles and home computers, expanding its existing fanbase. Several sequels were developed, with change in characters and locations. However, the gameplay remains the same after all these years.
On 18th November 2011, it was announced that a movie adaptation based on the popular game will be developed by New Line, with Rickard previously set to direct. However, there were no follow-up news of the production until now.
The upcoming project will see a reunion between Johnson, New Line, and Flynn, as they previously worked together in the 3D disaster film, “San Andreas“. Johnson is currently filming “Central Intelligence”, an action comedy film which also stars Kevin Hart, while Flynn has been attached to produce “Solace”, “Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters 2″, and “Journey 3: From the Earth to the Moon”.
The project does not have a release date yet, but it is scheduled to start production on summer 2016, after Johnson completes his production for “Fast & Furious 8“.
Source: Deadline
