Fans get their first look at Milla Jovovich in the live-action film adaptation of the Monster Hunter game series. Jovovich has been posting photos from set for some time now. Some of her earlier photos gave a glimpse of how her character, Lt. Natalie Artemis, will look. Most of Jovovich’s posts revealed a more modern and militaristic take on Monster Hunter. But the latest photo will at last give fans of the games a look more in sync with the games’ aesthetic.
The Monster Hunter series are action RPGs that are set in a fantasy world. Gamers play the role of the Hunter. The player collects resources and crafts weapons in order to go on bigger and bolder quests to capture or slay monsters. Director Paul W.S. Anderson appears to be moving the film in a different direction. Instead of the Hunter, the movie will follow an entirely original character, Jovovich’s Artemis, who ends up in a parallel world filled with the titled creatures.
The first official photo, as revealed by IGN, shows Jovovich and Tony Jaa (as the Hunter) in garb more befitting of the Monster Hunter games. In the photo, Jovovich carries a pair of Dual Blades, a carving knife, and a Slinger. Jaa wields a Giant Jawblade and a Great Hunters Bow. The weapons come straight out of the games themselves. Jovovich’s armor is inspired by the series as well, the most notable being the chest piece that looks similar to the Odogaran chest piece from Monster Hunter World. Along with the photo, Studio Screen Gems also released a synopsis which describes the film as follows:
Monster Hunter isn’t the first video game adaptation done by husband and wife duo Anderson and Jovovich. It isn’t even their first one based off a Capcom game. Jovovich previously starred in the Resident Evil films while Anderson directed three of the movies (and remained involved in series). The Resident Evil franchise went on to make over $900 million at the box office, despite being panned by critics. So Capcom’s decision to give them the rights to Monster Hunter wasn’t much of a surprise.
“Behind our world, there is another: a world of dangerous and powerful monsters that rule their domain with deadly ferocity. When Lt. Artemis (Milla Jovovich) and her loyal soldiers are transported from our world to the new world, the unflappable lieutenant receives the shock of her life. In her desperate battle for survival against enormous enemies with incredible powers and unstoppable, revolting attacks, Artemis will team up with a mysterious man who has found a way to fight back.”
This first official photo won’t be enough to quell fan concerns, even with all the nods to the games. Anderson’s Resident Evil strayed far from its source material and it’s clear Monster Hunter will do the same, opting for more of a Stargate vibe. But all those changes didn’t stop Resident Evil from being a financial success so its entirely possible for Monster Hunter to be one as well. As more info is revealed, audiences will have to decide if they’re willing to continue following Anderson’s takes on some of their favorite video games.
More: Monster Hunter World Is Capcom’s Best-Selling Game Ever
Source: IGN
