After pretty much silencing the entire world when she turned Barbie into a billion-dollar global box office phenomenon even when directly up against one of the most critically acclaimed films of all time in Oppenheimer, Margot Robbie is off to a potentially greater heights. By way of her production company, LuckyChap Entertainment, in collaboration with Roy Lee and Miri Yoon of Vertigo Entertainment, Robbie is producing a live-action adaptation of the iconic video game franchise, The Sims.
Taking on the directorial reigns of the popular Electronic Arts life simulation series is a trailblazer in Kate Herron, who you might know for her work on Sex Education and Loki. She’ll also co-write the screenplay. Already, we can expect a lot given her proven track record of success.
The Sims, first introduced in 2000 by game designer Will Wright, has sold more than 200 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling video game series of all time. Its open-ended gameplay allows players to simulate life in a myriad of ways, from the everyday mundane to the utterly fantastical. This flexibility has engendered a deeply dedicated fanbase and has kept the series relevant through numerous sequels and expansion packs.
EXCLUSIVE: Hot off BARBIE, I'm told that MARGOT ROBBIE is going to produce a movie based on THE SIMS, one of the most popular video games of all time. CAA is shopping the red-hot package right now, and LOKI helmer Kate Herron is attached to write/direct…https://t.co/2aRyBPC40T
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) March 20, 2024
This isn’t the first time The Sims has been eyed for adaptation. A previous attempt by Fox was announced in 2007 but ultimately fell through following the Disney-Fox merger in 2019. Now, with the success of LuckyChap’s Barbie film, which took a similarly iconic and narrative-free brand and turned it into a cinematic phenomenon, there’s renewed hope and excitement for The Sims adaptation.
The potential narrative direction of The Sims film is the subject of much speculation, as it lacks a fixed storyline. The game’s appeal lies in its sandbox nature, allowing players to create and control characters in a virtual world, simulating various life scenarios of nary predetermined outcomes. This open-endedness presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the filmmakers to craft a story that captures the essence of The Sims experience.
With Herron’s experience and Robbie’s Midas touch following Barbie’s global success, there’s anticipation that the adaptation will bring something both true to the spirit of The Sims and innovatively cinematic.
The Sims’ live-action adaptation comes on the heels of the success of other successful video game adaptations in recent years, led by The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which is Nintendo’s best-selling franchise, and HBO’s The Last of Us, based on Naughty Dog’s award-winning series.
If the creativity and innovation behind The Sims game series and the track record of the people involved in the movie are anything to go by, audiences can expect a unique and entertaining cinematic experience that honors the legacy of the beloved game.
