Metal Gear Solid film appoints new directors under Sony deal after long development delays

Sony has appointed new directors for its long-developing Metal Gear Solid film adaptation, marking a shift in direction for the project after several years without production progress.

Filmmakers Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein will now lead the adaptation as part of a broader first-look deal with the studio.

The agreement, announced on April 9, covers multiple Sony film labels and includes projects to be developed through the duo’s production company, Wonderlab.

In addition to directing assignments, the company will also produce original films for other filmmakers.

As part of the deal, Lipovsky and Stein are attached to direct the Metal Gear Solid adaptation for Sony Columbia, with Avi Arad and Ari Arad producing. The project is based on the video game franchise created by Hideo Kojima.

“Metal Gear Solid was nothing short of a groundbreaking cinematic masterpiece that forever revolutionised video games,” Lipovsky and Stein said in a statement. “We are thrilled and honoured to bring Hideo Kojima’s iconic characters and unforgettable world to life.”

The announcement follows the commercial performance of Final Destination: Bloodlines, directed by the pair, which grossed $317 million worldwide on a $50 million budget.

The film also became the highest-grossing and best-reviewed entry in its franchise, contributing to the new agreement with Sony.

The Metal Gear Solid film has been in development for several years. Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts was previously attached to an earlier version that did not move into production.