Take-Two, the company behind popular gaming franchises such as Grand Theft Auto, has been reluctant to bring its games to the big and small screens. During a recent earnings briefing, Take-Two’s CEO Strauss Zelnick shed light on the reasons behind this decision.
Zelnick pointed out that there is a limited opportunity to make money from film and TV adaptations, as these mediums are considered challenging asset classes. He drew from his personal experience as a former executive at Columbia Pictures, 20th Century Fox, and a board member at CBS to support his perspective.
While there have been a few successful adaptations like HBO’s The Last of Us and Universal’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Zelnick emphasized that these are exceptions. He noted that there have been numerous failures that resulted in financial losses. Take-Two has taken a cautious approach to licensing because of this.
However, Take-Two has started to shift its stance in recent times. The company is currently collaborating with Lionsgate on a Borderlands movie and with Netflix on a BioShock film. Zelnick mentioned that they would consider licensing in the future if there is both a creative imperative and an economic opportunity.
One of Take-Two’s main concerns with transmedia efforts is that they only license the rights to a game series, rather than produce it themselves. Zelnick stated that they are not willing to jeopardize the company’s future or the value of their intellectual property based on someone else’s execution in another area of the entertainment business. Hence, they will continue to be highly selective in their licensing approach.
While a Grand Theft Auto movie has not yet materialized, there have been discussions and proposals over the years. Take-Two has turned down offers from film and TV executives because they prioritize retaining creative control. In fact, there was once a potential GTA movie with Eminem cast and Ridley Scott as the director, but it did not come to fruition.
It is worth noting that the BBC produced a film called Game Changer, where Daniel Radcliffe portrayed Rockstar co-founder Sam Houser. However, Rockstar Games filed a lawsuit against the BBC over the production.
As Take-Two continues to navigate the landscape of adaptations, the company remains cautious and committed to preserving the integrity of its franchises. While there may be opportunities for future collaborations, Take-Two’s focus remains on its core business of creating exceptional gaming experiences.
