With the news this week that developer Hazelight Studios and dj2 Entertainment would be teaming up to bringIt Takes Twoto the big and possibly small screen, fans of the action-adventure platformer were pleased, if a little surprised.It Takes Twomade a big impact last year after it was released in March, winning praise from players as well as multiple accolades - including Best Multiplayer and Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021. Despite the buzz generated from the two-player title, video games and films have had a relatively tumultuous relationship, and many popular games and franchises have steered clear of cinemas after some very infamous flops.
No stranger to video game adaptions, dJ2 Entertainment co-produced Paramount’s 2020 filmSonic the Hedgehogand is currently executive producing television series ofLife is StrangeandLittle Nightmares. WithSonicbecoming one of the highest-grossing video game films of all time, gamers are hopingIt Takes Twois in safe hands. With a film and/or TV adaption on the way, many fans are debating which sections of the game they’d like to see on the big screen, including which set pieces would make the best transition or have the most impact.
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Moments In The Game Ripe For Movie Magic
In addition to the nuanced and sensitively-told story of a family breaking apart,It Takes Twois a game of striking visuals and inventive levels. With a very varied array of gameplay mechanics from multiple genres,It Takes Twois an interesting mix of elements, and adapting these all to the big or small screen could prove challenging. There will no doubt be some aspects that are cut, reimagined, or simplified for time and cost reasons, but there are a few key scenes and set pieces that fans will no doubt be keen to see make the transition from game to screen.
One of thethings thatIt Takes Twodoes so wellis taking the mundane and every day and elevating it into something unique and extraordinary. With their excessively diminished size and patchwork aesthetic, the sight of main characters May and Cody navigating the more recognizable spaces like a shed or an attic adds an element of unreality and video game magic. Showing this in a film or TV adaption through the familiar yet alien vacuum with a vengeance or the snake-like wiring in the attic music level would not only be visually striking, but also playful and fittingly bizarre.
As well as the mix of ordinary and unconventional,It Takes Twohas several more fantastical levelsthat already feel like players have stepped into the world of movie-making magic. The circus-themed level, where players must reach Rose’s toy elephant, is full of beautifully-designed and exciting elements ranging from pirate ships and giant toy octopuses to firing out of canons and dangling from a trapeze. The snow globe level, with its frozen scenery and touching sentimental moments, is also a standout.
A particular moment that has no doubt stuck out in many gamers' minds is thebattle with Wasp Queen. The sheer size of the level when players first encounter the hive and the creepy mechanical design of the faux-insect make it memorable for all the right reasons. The juxtaposition between this more earthy and gently-lit area to the brightly colored sci-fi theme of the space level would play out amazingly on screen.
What’s Known About The Film Adaption So Far
Although not much is known just yet after the announcement this week thatIt Takes Twowill be getting a film or TV adaption, Hazelight founder and creative director Josef Fares claimed the game’s strong narrative makes it an obvious choice for the big screen. CEO and dJ2 founder Dmitri M. Johnson said that the studio fell in love with Cody, May, Rose, Dr. Hakim, and that they “can’t wait to bring these characters – and this world – to life on the big and small screen.”
While little else is known beyond the initial statement, filmmakers will no doubt be clamoring to be the ones that help bring the project to audiences. Clearly, Hazelight is keen to expand the IP and ensure that theaward-winningIt Takes Twoand its heartfelt story and inventive world are experienced by more than just the gaming community.
It Takes Twois available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
