Francis Lawrence, known for his work on The Hunger Games franchise and currently helming Netflix's live-action BioShock movie, shared his all-time favorite video games in a recent interview. Among his top picks were Metal Gear Solid, BioShock, Call of Duty, and the original Grand Theft Auto, which he described as "pretty wild" upon its release.
Lawrence's involvement with the BioShock film has been a long journey, with the project initially brought to him by Gore Verbinski in 2009. Despite past development hurdles, including a contentious period with Guillermo del Toro's involvement, Lawrence is now steering the adaptation for Netflix. He also noted that he is preparing to direct a film adaptation of the young adult book series Red Rising.
The director also commented on the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6, acknowledging its immense anticipation and technological advancements. Lawrence humorously pointed out the close proximity of GTA 6's launch to his upcoming film, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, which is set to release this November. "Hopefully, people find time for both. Play GTA, go see our movie, play more GTA," he quipped, suggesting a busy period for entertainment consumption.
This situation highlights the significant cultural footprint of major game releases like GTA 6, capable of drawing attention even from established figures in the film industry. Lawrence's diverse interests underscore the intersection of gaming and filmmaking, with creators often drawing inspiration from or competing for attention with the interactive entertainment world.