FX Ventures into the Wilds of 'Far Cry' for Television, With a Surprising Comedic Twist

Well, hold on to your hats, because it seems the wild, untamed world of Ubisoft's Far Cry is officially heading to the small screen! And here’s where it gets interesting, perhaps even a bit of a head-scratcher for those familiar with the game's intense, often dark themes: FX has been actively exploring a TV series based on the popular video game franchise, not just with one, but initially two distinct projects. One, an apocalyptic drama from the brilliant mind of Noah Hawley, ultimately didn't get the green light. But the other? That's a comedy, folks, and it's very much alive in development, spearheaded by none other than Rob McElhenney and Kaitlin Olson.

It's true! While fans might have pictured a gritty, serious take on Far Cry's signature blend of captivating villains and survival in lawless lands, the active project is leaning into humor. Noah Hawley, known for his masterful work on series like Fargo and Legion, had indeed pitched an "apocalyptic drama" based on the franchise. FX, after taking a look, decided to pass on that particular vision. But don't despair if you're a fan of the game; the network is still very much in business with the franchise, just with a dramatically different approach.

Enter Rob McElhenney and Kaitlin Olson, the comedic powerhouse duo famously known for their roles (and off-screen partnership) in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Now, if you're like me, you might be scratching your head a little. Far Cry... a comedy? It's certainly an unexpected pivot, but one can only imagine the kind of brilliant, darkly comedic chaos this team could bring to the table. Think about it: the inherent absurdity of some Far Cry situations, the over-the-top antagonists, the desperate struggle for survival in ludicrous circumstances – there's definitely fertile ground for humor, especially in the hands of creators who excel at finding the funny in the utterly deranged. Both McElhenney and Olson are attached to this comedy adaptation, which continues to be developed in collaboration with Ubisoft Film & Television, the folks behind the game itself.

Let's be real for a moment: video game adaptations have had a notoriously tricky history in Hollywood. For years, it felt like a cursed genre, with one disappointing film or series after another. But lately, times, they are a-changin'. The massive success of HBO's The Last of Us proved that with the right creative vision and respect for the source material, these stories can absolutely resonate with a broader audience, even achieving critical acclaim. This shift might be exactly why FX and Ubisoft are willing to explore such a diverse range of interpretations for Far Cry.

Ubisoft, for their part, isn't shy about their ambitions in the TV and film space. They've got a veritable treasure trove of popular franchises, and they're clearly seeing the writing on the wall: streaming services and networks are hungry for established IPs with built-in fanbases. Beyond Far Cry, the company has a slew of other adaptations in various stages of development, including projects based on Assassin's Creed, Splinter Cell, Watch Dogs, Just Dance, and even the ever-zany Rabbids. It’s a full-court press to bring their interactive universes to passive viewing experiences.

So, what does this all mean for Far Cry? Only time will tell if McElhenney and Olson's comedic vision for the chaotic franchise will hit the mark, but count us intrigued. It's a bold, fresh, and undeniably unexpected direction, and in a world where audiences crave originality, perhaps a Far Cry comedy is exactly what we didn't know we needed. It certainly guarantees a conversation, at the very least.