‘The Sims’ Movie To Be Cross Between ‘The Matrix’ and ‘Weird Science’

As if a proposed movie adaptation of Guitar Hero wasn’t stupid enough, I now discover that The Sims is going to be turned in to a full-length film. Oh. My. God. What a stupid idea that is. I know it’s the best-selling game of all time, but just because millions of people enjoy playing it that doesn’t mean it’ll make a good movie. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’ll make a shockingly bad movie.

The Sims computer game has no plot, no storyline, no discernible characters barring the ones you make yourself. So let’s turn it in to a movie shall we? No, please don’t. But, it’s happening, whether I want it to or not. Even more surprising is the fact that John Davis, who notably produced I, Robot and Predator (as well as some turkeys starring Eddie Murphy), is the man behind the project.

Davis recently spoke to Collider about The Sims movie, as well as giving updates on Predator 3 (not happening) and Jason and The Argonauts (which could have a huge director on board). But his views on The Sims are what I’m interested in. He said:

“I think we have it in The Sims. First of all, The Sims, 65 million units have been sold, the most successful video game ever. Right? Ever.”

“The Sims, as you know, you can control your imaginary world, right? And our movie, a young man, a 16 year old kid of a 14 year old kid and his friend get their hands on this thing called the Sims Infinity Pack, right, which kind of this very strange video game store which was there just for that moment, and seemingly wasn’t all that. But what they realize is that they can scan their world in, because this is the most life like, real Sims game ever.”

“And as they are playing this they are all of a sudden realizing is what they are playing on the game is having an effect on the real world. So in effect, through the game, they are able to control their world. It’s wish fulfilment, and obviously it turns against them.”

“And definitely there will be somebody coming out of the game into the real world, like “Weird Science” did.”

“I wanna make a Amblin-esque, really fun adventure movie, because I think the third act is great, because obviously there is a nemesis, and the nemesis gets his hands on the game in the third act and he’s now set up this incredible obstacle course of incredible things that you can only do through your Sims game that our heroes have to go through before the game becomes permanent and they’re forever screwed, and they have got to defeat that nemesis. So it’s got some big great fun, adventure set pieces, and whatever their imagination is creates the world.”

After re-reading the interview a few times to actually understand a word the guy says, I actually quite like the idea of The Sims being the real world and some kids being able to play the game for real. But is that really a movie version of The Sims? It’s really just a weird mishmash of Weird Science and The Matrix that is going to have The Sims name plastered all over it.

I really can’t see this movie working, and I actually think it’ll end up being a real mess. Which is a shame as the building blocks for a great movie seem to be in place. Maybe if The Sims game was dropped from the discussion altogether, it would make more sense? No, not really, but it was worth a try.