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TV shows based on video games have become all the rage lately, thanks to breakout hits like The Last of Us and Fallout. Now, FX is getting in on the action with Far Cry, which will be quite different from other video game adaptations. For starters, Far Cry will be an anthology series, which is fitting, given each of the Far Cry games features a different protagonist and setting. The Far Cry series also boasts some impressive creative talent in the form of producers Noah Hawley and Rob Mac, who previously delivered iconic series for FX in the form of Alien: Earth and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. A new update has revealed a change to the series that might alienate longtime fans.
The official Twitter account for FX recently revealed that Steve Buscemiwill be joining the cast, alongside the following message: "Welcome Steve Buscemi to the world of FX’s FARCRY. Hope you’re ready to get thrown into the deep end, lose your mind, and make a few catastrophically bad decisions along the way." While the addition of Buscemi is an excellent one, it's the title that stands out as it's been shortened from two words to one. This might not seem like a big deal at first, but it shows that FX either doesn't have that much faith in Far Cry as a franchise, or it mistakenly thinks the name needs to be changed.
The 'Far Cry' Name Change Feels Superfluous at Best, and Misguided at Worst
What makes the Far Cry name change so confusing is the fact that other video game adaptations didn't feel the need to change their names. That's because the name of a video game is part of the selling point, especially if it's part of a long-running franchise. If you hear the word "Mario," you automatically know you're about to watch a Super Mariomovie. Resident Evilbrings visions of super-mutated zombies stalking around with loaded handguns to mind. Even Halo, which took a fair amount of liberties with its source material, still kept the title of the video games it was based on. Far Cry changing the title feels like the series is attempting to distance itself from the source material, rather than embrace it.
That's a change that could hurt the series, as it's releasing in a time when studios are attempting to capture the essence of video games rather than shy away from them. Part of what makes The Last of Us so compelling is that it manages to replicate events from the video games while also expanding on the mythology. Likewise, Fallout tells an original story set within the world of the video games, allowing newcomers to fully immerse themselves while still pleasing fans. Far Cry should take a page from that book, especially when it comes to the title. You don't need to change anything about the series, especially since the anthology format is capturing what fans of the games actually love.
The 'Far Cry' Series Needs To Avoid the Mistakes The Movie Made
Far Cry fans will also be quick to point out that the FX series won't be the first time the video games were adapted into another medium. That "honor" goes to 2008's Far Cry, directed by Uwe Boll. Boll is a filmmaker who instills fear in video game fans, as his adaptations tend to have little to nothing in common with the games they're based on. Far Cry is no different; it was critically panned and wound up a box office bomb. Netflix would have far more success with Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix, which takes the plot of Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon and puts an anime-style spin on it. If FX wants to make sure its take on Far Cry stands out, it needs to embrace everything that makes the video games so great, and that includes the title.
