Cinematic adaptations of other mediums are nothing new. Over the years, we’ve seen everything from stage plays to comic books adapted for the big screen, to varying degrees of success.
Games, be they tabletop games or video games, often pose a tougher challenge. Given their non-linear narratives and complex structures, it can be difficult to effectively translate them into a movie format. Could a cinematic adaptation of Warhammer 40,000 work? Find out here.
What is Warhammer 40,000?
Warhammer 40,000 is a tabletop strategy combat game that is popular around the world. It is played by two or more players using armies made up of small, hand-painted models. Players roll dice to determine the movement and actions of their armies and attempt to defeat opponents in combat or capture specific objectives.
It is produced by the company Games Workshop, which sets the rules, sells models and painting kits and runs tournaments and gaming sessions from its numerous retail locations. Warhammer 40,000 is a true subculture and has legions of loyal fans.
The game exists within the world of science fiction. It is set in the future, with humankind beset by civil war and besieged by aliens and supernatural creatures. The lore surrounding the game is deep, with multiple different factions and political factors that make for more engaging and narrative-driven gameplay opportunities.
Has the Game Been Adapted Into Other Formats?
Warhammer 40,000 has been around since the 1980s. As you might expect, the game has been developed considerably since then, with new rules, characters and gameplay mechanics introduced over the years.
The lore surrounding the game has evolved too, and over time has inspired a number of other artistic works based on the stories of this fictional future world. There are numerous novels and comic books based on the Warhammer 40,000 universe, as well as a number of video games, such as Mac games and titles for other consoles.
Given the depth and extent of the Warhammer 40,000 backstory, there is an almost unlimited pool from which authors and other creatives can draw inspiration. Novels, comics and games can follow the fortunes of the universe’s many billions of groups or characters, recounting their tales of war and conquest in what is a violent and inhospitable world.
How Would a Cinema Adaptation Work?
It might come as a surprise to learn that Warhammer 40,000 has been, so far, absent from the silver screen. The universe is exhilarating and action-packed and would surely translate perfectly into the cinema format.
However, it has proved difficult, perhaps as a result of the over-the-top, grandiose and extravagant elements within the franchise. There has only been one official Warhammer 40,000 movie, a straight-to-DVD animation that was met with lukewarm reviews.
What is preventing a live-action cinema adaptation of Warhammer 40,000? Part of the reason is financial. Modern films cost a lot of money to make and to do the Warhammer 40,000 story justice, the production would need significant financial backing.
However, Warhammer 40,000 is a relatively niche interest. While a cinematic adaptation would be extremely expensive to produce, it may not generate the ticket sales required to turn a profit. This is likely what has held back a proper cinema release of a Warhammer 40,000 film and is a problem that must be solved if we ever want to see it on the big screen.
Conclusion
Warhammer 40,000 is one of the world’s most popular tabletop games. However, we have yet to see the universe adapted for the big screen. If fans want to see their favourite characters and stories in the cinema, filmmakers must first find a workaround for the financial issues any potential project would come with.
