10 Promising Video Game Movies That ALMOST Happened
5. Castlevania
A classic Konami franchise that was old-school tough, but flavour-wise mixed old European Gothic horror with a delicious eastern anime flavour.
Since 2005, Crystal Sky Pictures had been trying to execute a film adaptation that would focus on an origin tale between both Dracula and the Belmont clan. First, Paul Anderson was attached (meh), then replaced by Sylvian White (double meh). Things bolstered into exciting territory though in 2009 when James Wan joined as a writer/director.
What Happened?
A torrent of rights issues hit the movie eventually; since development had begun, several studios stepped in for production and distribution duties at various points - and then four years later, the entire production had become a mess of red tape.
Due to this, it stagnated and then died.
Why Was It Promising?
Castlevania's lush mythology and the world is a shoo-in for cinematic storytelling. Wan was kind of born to make it; holding having strong expertise as both a skilled action blockbuster maker, and as a full-fledged horror auteur.
Oh well, it wasn't meant to be - but at least we got that incredible Netflix show instead.