Cannes: Phase 4 Acquires U.S., Canadian On Anna Paquin Pic … 
Cannes: Wrekin Hill Acquires U.S. On Gabriele … 
Bill Hader’s ‘SNL’ Stefon Farewell: Video 
Cannes: The Weinstein Co. Books ‘Suite … 
BBC Confirms ‘Doctor Who’ Season 8 
‘Star Trek Into Darkness’ $22M Friday For Lower … 
Finally, Cannes Dealing! Radius-TWC Nabs Director’s … 
Hammond On Cannes: Wet Fest’s Official Competition … 
‘Vampire Academy’ Adds ‘Modern … 
RATINGS RAT RACE: ‘Shark Tank’ Finale Up, … 
Cannes: Worldview Options Andrew Dominik’s Marilyn … 
UPFRONTS 2013: The Overachievers 
‘Mike & Molly’ Creator Mark Roberts To … 
Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts Set For … 
Hammond On Cannes: Weinstein Brings Out Stars For 2013 … 
Cannes: Fake Gunshots Interrupt Canal Plus Live Broadcast … 
‘The Great Gatsby’ Starts With $5.4M … 
Cannes: Music Box Snags Competition’s ‘Michael … 
UPDATE: Amazon Studios Begins Pilot Pickups; … 
Bruce Rosenblum Bids Classy Goodbye 
RATINGS RAT RACE UPDATE: ‘American Idol’ Hits … 
EXCLUSIVE: MYST, the all-time top selling computer adventure game franchise, has been optioned for live action film treatment. Producers Hunt Lowry and Mark Johnson have partnered with Adrian Vanderbosch and Isaac Testerman of Mysteria Film Group. Mysteria got the rights from game developers Cyan Worlds. MYST debuted in 1993 and expanded with four top-selling sequels. It established a market for multi-platform CD-ROM gaming and continues to be the biggest selling adventure game ever.
Trouble is, MYST became popular for the atmospheric experience it provided, but it isn’t as easily adaptable as some vidgames because it doesn’t have a simple linear narrative. It does have a strong mythology that creates possibilities, though. Johnson is the producer of the upcoming The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and the hope is to bring the distinctive world of Myst as was done with Narnia.
One focus of the film will be the influence of a human who entered Myst and inadvertently brought down the civilization. Johnson and Lowry are separately teamed on an adaptation of the John Grisham novel The Testament. With Vanderbosch and Testerman, they are on the hunt for a writer before they shop it to studios. “Our aim with this project is to stretch the genres it operated within, much like the source material did,” Vanderbosch said. “It is such an innovative property and by utilizing the novels as our primary resource, we have the opportunity to offer audiences the essence of MYST without being limited only to the famous island of the first game. Our focus has always been on creating an entirely new visual experience driven by engaging characters and an epic narrative.”
The filmmakers will draw the plot from the mythology within the games, as well as a trilogy of companion novels Cyan Worlds published around them. Players enter a highly atmospheric world and solve a series of puzzles that unlock secrets to this mysterious world. Players can liberate characters trapped inside of books, but have to decide which ones are good and evil. The goal of players was to return to Myst Island and rescue its owner from his imprisonment inside one of the books. The novels provided clues to the backstory of the island the curious civilization known as the D’ni and the infinite number of worlds they could create and control. Cory Lanier and Tom Williams will be co-producers.
Loading ...
This is a good idea. It could have an Indiana Jones feel if done right.
Hahahahaha – “Myst” is the game equivalent to Dream Theater. You’ve got all those nerds who try to convince you that it’s all interesting and has this real arty mythological thing going on, but when you actually get into it, it’s tedious foppery.
Aw go chase yourself. It was a great puzzle game, way ahead of it’s time. The puzzles were varied and satisfying. The look and the feel of the world were brilliantly visualized and executed.
Riven was much better, too.
Uhhh…nope. It’s got a strong storyline that extends through the sequels, instead of just random combat missions like Doom and Halo. Oh sure, those games have a plot too. But the gameplay is very repetitive. Myst is actually like playing a story, since it’s plot-driven.
come on, don’t go insulting other genres. i love myst, but it’s a hard thing to get into and you definitely won’t find all the story and mythology at its surface. it requires quite some digging. Well, not so much when this movie gets made.
And it realy has this real arty mythological thing going. There are three books (Book of atrus , Book of Ti’ana and Book of D’ni) wich tells the crucial part of myst mythology. But you might get the wrong impression because it is realy dificult or almost imposible to understand much about myst universe just from playing for example first Myst.
Bounder’s just bitter because he couldn’t figure out the puzzles and had to use the Guide.
oh man i love this game and i love dream theater. son of a bitch ha ha
nice troll man
Lindelof. Give him points.
Fantastic news! I was a big fan of the games as a youngin’ and still have the novels kicking around somewhere. There was a rich mythology full of interesting characters spanning several generations built around the games – more than enough to fuel several screenplays if they wanted a franchise.
I think as long as there is a strong sense of mystery, discovery, adventure, and at least one part of the film that creates a sense of haunting loneliness and solitude, they can capture what the games had tonally.
I hope it works out for them. My ticket is already bought.
now they are digging through the 90′s for videogame adaptations?
here are my suggestions – earthworm jim, shaq fu, clayfighter, contra, killer instinct and conker’s bad fur day.
actually, no. the guys who are driving this are hardcore Myst fans who have wanted to adapt a myst story (now specifically the chronologically first story, book of tiana) for some time and have been hard at work to get this done. it has nothing to do with hollywood trying to adapt more videogames. Heck, it’s not a videogame adaptation, but actually a book adaptation.
Now Hollywood just has to mine The 7th Guest for a feature adaptation. It would be ten times better than SOME (not ALL) of comparable stories that comes out now.
LOVE THIS IDEA!!! I am 25 years old and that game STILL gives me nightmares!
Yay I’m 25 years old and it give me nightmares too! Best computer game ever made! I love the games and I’m so excited about the movie! I should play the games again, maybe this time I can go to the Mechanical age with out feeling the need to go hide under stomething.
Myst was a leisurely, puzzle-filled experience. Not exactly movie material. It’s possible that something COULD be done with the property. Honestly, they would be better off just simply making another MYST game.
Which is why the movie is being based on the second novel and not on the games themselves!
The Myst game was maybe not a big movie material, but the novels are definitely movie material. I look forward seeing Myst novels brought to the big screen:D
Hey, nothing like being current! Let’s go back even FURTHER for great video game stories that no one remembers.
How about some of the old Scott Adam’s Adventures?
Maybe Zork? It’s already got the sequels mapped out!!!
King’s Quest?
Prince Of Persia. Oh wait, they made that one. With a big movie star and lots of action. It was a HUGE hit!!!!
Christ. Another video game adaptation that has ZERO appeal to anyone expect for fans who still talk about this.
All three of ‘em.
Ironic comment coming from someone whose nick is an early 80′s soap opera couple.
3 fans?
Where have you been???
“Since the publication of Myst in 1993, Cyan (now Cyan Worlds) has recognized and acknowledged that they have great fans. Avid fans. The fans of Myst games are well-known in the industry as thoughtful, intelligent, and fiercely loyal. They often are envied for the close-knit nature of their community, and examined by the industry as a ‘good example’ of what a company would want in a fan base. Fans of Myst come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Both males and females from around the world come together in the fan community to share one common love…. Cyan and Myst have one of the most extremely dedicated fan communities out there.”
The Myst community is huge and still very much alive and in full support of the movie. And for those who keep insisting that the movie will be based on the game, let me remind you that it will be based on the book. It’s a completely new story line – and a good one. There’s no question whether this will be a good movie or not, it’s just a question of the audience recognizing a good movie when they (finally) see one.
Okay, there are a lot of fans.
But, video game fans don’t translate into box office – that’s been seen time and time again. Resident Evil works because of the content, not because of the fans.
My thought is this – and I write video games by the way – these are great games, as there are many other great games. They work well in the language of games.
So, why do we need a movie that we can’t interact with? I don’t need to see someone else’s vision of a game that is already rendered and beloved.
What’s wrong with just being a fantastic game? Being a movie doesn’t elevate the material at all.
Because the source material- the books and the backstory- stand alone from it ever having *been* a video game. This isn’t a ‘video game movie’- it’s a movie based in a world that was originally introduced via a video game. Because of that, it’ll appeal to many more people than just the ‘fans’
ZORK. YES! ‘You face a white house…’
Or perhaps ‘impossible mission’, Commodore 64 style…
If you do your homework, you will discover that in 3 years’ time the original MYST will celebrate its 20th anniversary. Talk about a package deal for any production/distribution team. To be able to *possibly* time the release of a major motion picture to coincide with the anniversary would be one heck of a coup. If done well and in the proper time-frame there is definitely money to be made here! I think this is a project to watch.
Does not sound like a videogame adaptation at all, but rather a movie based on a novel providing background to this series of games? I have yet to see a good film based on a videogame. That’s why I feel this is open ended. Storys do not age like games do.
It is based on the books; which makes it more of a book adaptation than a videogame adaptation. I am cautiously optimistic.
Precisely. This is NOT a video game movie. It’s a novel movie.
This is a great idea, that I hope gets moved on quickly instead of languishing. I’ve been a Myst fan for most of my life. The series has a very original backbone, with good characters and history. It’s deep. Unlike other video games, that are just about action, this series has always been about story. I really hope this works. I’d definitely go see this with a big group of friends.
It’s based on a novel rather than the plotline of the video games. I’ve read the novel – it’s rough around the edges but the basic plotline of a woman discovering this lost civilisation, settling there, but because of who she was she destroys a great friendship and ultimately an entire civilisation… it’s good tragic story. The two producers the team have brought on board are definitely good producers. Looking forward to this movie.
Great news! I’ve been hoping this would come around for a long time now. The Myst novels have a huge backstory that I’ve always envisioned in movie form. Can’t wait for opening day!
Exciting news. I’ve always admired Myst for it’s story, as much or more then game play. If they draw from that this could be promising.
A few people get it, but it sounds like some are missing the aim of the movie. It’s not based on the games. 7th Guest huh? hmm… that would be interesting, Clue was done so why not. Now if only George Lucas’s ‘The Dig’ could get off the ground in to a feature film that would really be something.
This is awesome news! Go Mysteriacs and go producers persons! I am usually very sceptical when it comes to game-to-movie adaptations (or adaptations in general, really. Being a book didn’t do Earthsea any good… twice, ad that’s just the top of a long long list), but I do believe that these guys are on the right track.
- over the years, the Myst series has woven a complex and powerful mythology with plenty of stories to be told
- among these, the games tell complex stories in a way that’s right for their medium and are brilliant at that, still unparalleled under certain aspects imho (the original Myst was – still is? – the videogame that received the most academic attention back in the infancy of game studies), but the books tell book stories, not videogame stories. There is no intrusive game mechanic to adapt here.
- speaking of which… books or games, Myst’s characters are no videogame cookie-cutters, we’re talking of realistic characters with depth
- the book they’re adapting is a great entry point to the series, on par with the first game itself
- from the short excerpts posted on the blog, the Mysteriacs seem to know what they are doing, both as scriptwriters and as regards staying true to the series’ feeling. They’re cool and dedicated. You go, guys.
- for a series that hasn’t seen a shelf release since 2005 and new content in any form since early 2008… have you seen the fandom? We’re as active as they get! Both the old fans who have been here since the beginning and new blood from the recent online re-re-re-re-reopening (Uru: the zombie of MMOs since 2003 XD) and the Steam digital delivery. It’s a lovely place with a strong support!
I’m sure I’ve forgotten something. But there are so many ways this could go right… the source material, the people involved, the fans… I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Did some of you even read it? It’s based on a BOOK, not a GAME
MYST is *not* the best-selling PC game of all-time. That would be The Sims, which has sold nearly three times as many copies as MYST.
Several other games have also sold more than MYST, including World of Warcraft, StarCraft, and Half-Life.
@ Matthew Koss
Myst WAS the best selling PC-Game of all time UNTIL The Sims came along in 2002. Thats a 9-year run with the top dog title. Give the reporters a break!
It also is STILL the BEST SELLING ADVENTURE GAME of ALL TIME.
I do believe they said it’s still the best-selling adventure game of all time. That still holds true.
…and again just to illustrate that people DON’T read. it said “MYST, the all-time top selling computer adventure game franchise” NOT all PC games ever. Sims, WOW, SC and HF NOT adventure games.
It says “all-time top selling computer adventure game franchise”. Not PC game. Adventure game. Franchise. Which The Sims, World of Warcraft, Starcraft, and Half-Life are not…
Myst did hold the title for quite a long time before the WoW, Starcraft, or HalfLife came out; it also held the title before the Sims did. It did lose said title, but it still sold exceedingly well for its time.
It would be more accurate to say it was the best selling computer game of the 20th century, really. It held on to the top sales spot from 1994 until The Sims broke the record in 2002. 8 years of being the best isn’t a bad run at all. And when it was released for iPhone this year, it quickly hit the top 10 in the app store. Not bad for a supposedly outdated, dead game with all of three fans, hmm?
I’m looking forward to what MFG and their partners come up with. the D’ni universe has got an amazingly complex, rich history and mythos to draw on.
It said top selling computer adventure game franchise, not best-selling PC game of all time. Read closely.
This is awesome that the producing partners on this project have finally, officially, publicly been revealed. I’m sure they have the experience to make this the epic it so deserves to be!
The Movie will be based on the novel “Book of Ti’ana” which is set in the same mythology of the Myst games. A human discovers the world of the D’ni, a culture who has developed a great art in which the can create worlds through a special process. Having a stranger in the midst creates a story line that involves: rascism, conspiracy, betrayl, and the death of a civilization.
This is not some studio grasping for ideas. Mysteria group is comprised of people who’s dream is to bring these books into the world of film, and have been working on it for years.
http://mystmovie.com/ Check it out, and learn a little before you make a comment.
I think this is thrilling news! I have to say that I’m bored of the constant supply of re-makes and poor adaptations of good ideas. The Myst series have an excellent storyline and I really enjoyed playing them (Riven was my favourite). If the film was based solely on the game series I would be concerned. But as the article says it will be based in the Myst universe and on the Myst books. If you’re a fan of Sci-Fi/fantasy then I encourage you to read them. They are an excellent read and I’m very excited about how they will translate it to the big screen.
If you haven’t read these books then don’t write this off as yet another video game adaptation. There are some very talented people working on this project and I think there’s potential for this to be a great film. But we’ll have to wait and see……
Just to clarify other comments Myst was the top-selling PC game of all time until The Sims overtook it in 2002. But it held that title for nearly 10yrs, not bad really
AWESOME. I’ve read Book of Ti’ana, which the movie is based upon, and it’s truely a great book. Can’t wait to see D’ni on the big screen!
Myst will make a beautiful film, especially if it is done in a style similar to Avatar, as the worlds were all so spectacular. There are so many rich characters and if developed as a transmedia project, the whole Myst world could take on a huge life that could last another twenty years. While I don’t even want to think about the number of hours, days, that I spent playing this game over the past twenty years, I can tell you that I was thoroughly and wonderfully engaged and while I am not a huge 3D fan, this has to be the best opportunity to do an incredible 3D film. As a filmmaker, myself, I would so love to be involved in this project. One of the things that gives this project such great potential is that it is great for the whole family, as it is about a family – a family in turmoil. Cain and Abel, mystery, betrayal, love. It’s all here is one of the most stunningly graphic worlds ever designed. Can’t wait.
Could be a really short movie. Guy walks across the main island, turns all of the knobs and gets the final book. . .
Please, please … READ
Myst movie is made from a Book, which is a Sci-Fi novel, like many other novels, and it’s a good and intelligent one. There’s nothing to do with wandering on an island. Actually, in this book of Ti’ana, Myst island does not appear at all…
This project has been started by two independant filmmakers in 2004 or something.
It is very exciting to hear that one of the few substantive video game franchises (story not gory) is on it’s way to being a major motion picture. One hopes that the fans at the helm will do it justice. More so, I hope that the producers on board hold on to and respectfully translate the originality of the Myst franchise. The story and realism behind it captivated an immense number of first time computer gamers in the 1990′s and if the film can preserve the same style and the Miller brothers’ innovative take on interactive storytelling, I believe it will captivate a whole new audience, not all of whom would typically go for a video game movie.
Awesome! Great News! We’ve been waiting for this for a long time.