Hi Everybody,

For years, fans have been clamoring for a big screen adaptation of the Uncharted video game series starring swashbuckling adventurer and modern-day Indiana Jones; Nathan Drake. Uncharted is one of the most cinematic video game series’ ever made, so it makes a lot of sense that Hollywood would want to turn the games into a film franchise. I’ll always have mixed feelings about such a beloved video game being turned into a movie. On the one hand it has the potential to make a great series of films in the vein of Indiana Jones. But on the other hand, I think this could be an amazing adult skewing, adventure series on a network like HBO, Netflix, or Starz. There isn’t anything like quite like it on television or streaming right now. Or maybe just leave the fucking thing alone. Let the video game series stand as the amazing piece of art and storytelling that it is. But I’d have to being a lot higher than I already am, to think Hollywood would leave a potential cash cow like this alone.

There have been some starts and stops along the way (THANK GOD that terrible David O. Russell version fell apart: https://www.cinemablend.com/new/David-O-Russell-Makes-His-Uncharted-Movie-Sound-Like-National-Treasure-21967.html ).  As it stands, the current state of development on an Uncharted film, has Shawn Levy directing, Tom Holland (y’know, little Peter Parker in The MCU) as Nathan Drake, and Bryan Cranston rumored to play Sully.

Now, as a fan of the series, that doesn’t sound so bad. We could certainly do much, much, much worse. However, though I like the 2 potential leads, Tom Holland is just too young and I just don’t quite see Cranston as Sully.

As far as fans of the video game series are concerned, there’s always been one man and one man only who should play Nathan Drake: Nathan Fillion.

 

Pretty much the moment the possiblity of an Uncharted movie was announced, fans wanted Fillion. If you’ve played the game or seen Fillion’s work, it’s easy to see why he was a fan favorite for the role.

During the aforementioned period when David O. Russell was slated to direct the movie, he was asked by reporters if Nathan Fillion was being considered for the part. Russell didn’t even know who Fillion was (a producer had to remind Russell that Filion had, in fact, screen tested) Of course this made the possibility of an adaptation by Russell even less popular with the fans and Russell (THANKFULLY) eventually left the project.

Now the Internet is buzzing about an Uncharted short film that went viral. Filmmaker Allan Unger directed a short 16 minuet film starring Nathan Fillion as Drake, Stephen Lang of Avatar as Nathan’s old friend and mentor Sully, and Episodes’ Mircea Monroe as Nathan’s wife, Elena. As for the short film, well… it’s FUCKING AWESOME! Anyone who thought Fillion has aged out of the role is proven completely wrong with this film. Not only is his dialogue pitch perfect, but he nails some pretty impressive stunts. Fillion is JUST. FUCKING. PERFECT. for Drake. Don’t take my word for it! Watch it here:

A lot of other film reporters have said things like this the “best video game adaptation we’ve seen yet.”. I dont think that’s hyperbole. Yes, its a 16 minuet short film, but I doubt you’d find a total of 16 minuets of quality filmmaking spread across every video game movie made (OK, OK, Ryan… the Resident Evil movies have their moments). I do think the idea that Fillion has aged out of the role can be put to rest after watching this. He is absolutely capable of crushing it as Nathan Drake. I also thought Stephen Lang and Mircea Monroe were very well cast as Sully and Elena, respectively.  Don’t forget that by the time Uncharted 4 takes place, Drake is definitely an older guy (slowly) approaching middle age.

Never say never, but as much as this short film has blown up the internet, it’s still unlikely that the current plans for the Uncharted feature length film will be scrapped in favor of an expansion of this project. But there is good news! According to EW.com and several other news outlets, due to it’s popularity this could lead to a web series with full length episodes. Unger has apparently already been contacted by the people who make these descsions, regarding another possible Uncharted project with this cast. So make sure you share this video on Facebook, Twitter, everywhere. Unger’s Twitter handle is  @Allan_Unger and Fillion’s is @NathanFillion Send this short to anyone you can. The more people who see it, the more likely we will get to see more of Filion’s adventures as Nathan Drake.

All I know is that seeing this short was an absolute fucking delight as long time fan of the Uncharted games, who’s ALWAYS wanted to see Fillion in the role. I’m happy to say he knocks it out of the fucking park! Let’s hope we get to see more!

As always, thanks for reading and watching!

-Paul