Hollywood's Game

Posted Thursday, May 24, 2001 at 12:26 PM Central

by John Couture

This summer represents yet another big risk for Hollywood. Last year, the risk came in the form of X-Men and the comics industry. X-Men was huge and signalled a rush on comics inspired movies. There are currently no less than a dozen movies in various states of development in Hollywood based on comic books.

This year, the risk is games. With the hihgly touted Tomb Raider ready to debut at theaters next month and Final Fantasy opening later this summer, the game market is hoping for the same push in movie development that X-Men brought to the comics world.

While there are about four other game influenced movies currently in the planning stages, it appears that, for now, Hollywood is taking a wait-and-see approach. Just chalk it up to yet another burden placed on Lara Croft's sturdy, feminine shoulders. A burden that Hollywood, and the game industry, hopes will pan out to millions of dollars in profits.