Movie-licensed games have never had a stellar reputation, but there are a handful of titles that buck the trend and find a comfortable home in the video game medium.Goldeneye,Alien: Isolation, and the recentEvil Deadproject from Saber Interactiveare all doing well to restore the reputation of film-to-game adaptations, and there’s no shortage of blockbuster film franchises that would translate beautifully to games if executed well. Quentin Tarantino is one of the most revered directors in Hollywood, and is equal parts loved and hated for his unapologetic approach to violence in movies likeDjango UnchainedandKill Bill.
The Uma Thurman-led samurai/western revenge thriller is probably his most brutal picture of all, releasing in two parts in 2003 and 2004. Focusing on a lethal assassin who was attacked during her wedding rehearsal by the team she was once a part of,Kill Bill’s two volumes see the Bride track down those who wronged her on the way to the eventual goal of offing the leader of the group, Bill. Its liberal approach to melee violence makes it a perfect property for one of gaming’s best hack-and-slash developers, PlatinumGames.
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Kill Bill Vol 3 is Anything But Confirmed
While theKill Billsaga ended in the mid-2000s, there has been much chatter about the possibility of a third film to tie up the trilogy.Uma Thurman alluded to the possibility ofKill BillVol. 3, but gave disappointing news that it may not be coming any time soon. There’s always a chance it arrives at some point in the future, but with Quentin Tarantino committing to only ten films, the end of his feature film directorial career seems to be coming to a close. If a newKill Billfilm enters production it would have to be the next movie the creator makes, with 2019’sOnce Upon a Time in Hollywoodbeing his ninth.
As actors get older and pursue new projects, there is an optimal time frame for sequels to happen within. A film is so often only as good as the people who are cast in the roles, so the stars have to align at the right time, with the right cast and the right script. The video game medium doesn’t have to worry about aging actors and the tumultuous Hollywood machine, sobringing the next chapter ofKill Billto audiencesin the gaming format could overrule much of the concerns that fans have for the film while still providing a satisfying story alongside an enjoyable gameplay loop.
PlatinumGames' Past is Perfect for Kill Bill
For all its successes in the hack-and-slash genre likeAstral Chain, andMetal Gear Rising: Revengeance, PlatinumGames' inconsistency is well documented.Babylon’s Fallis nothing interesting andStar Fox Zerowas a disappointment to many. Sprinkle in some forgettable titles in recent years, and it’s clear that the Osaka-based developer flourishes within a certain genre with parameters it’s familiar with.Bayonetta 3may be the company’s next game to arrive, scheduled to release in October 2022, butKill Billcould tap into so many of the aforementioned franchise’s best qualities.
The Bride’s proficiency with a katana and her now-famous fight with the Crazy 88 inKill BillVol. 1feels like something taken directly out ofDynasty WarriorsorDevil May Cry. The story ofKill Billstill has more to give on a narrative level, and PlatinumGames has experience handling beloved properties as it did withMetal Gearin 2013. Aside from Capcom and Sony Santa Monica, there’s no developer in the industry that produceshack-and-slash gameson par with those from PlatinumGames. The studio always seems to prioritize visual and mechanical fun which, weaved with a Quentin Tarantino-told tale, could be something truly special.
