Monster Hunter

Screen Gem’s adaptation of the Capcom video game ‘Monster Hunter’, directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, is officially in production and to celebrate, a new image has been released, showing stars Milla Jovovich and Tony Jaa in full costume and armed to the teeth.  Jovovich, who starred in all of Anderson’s ‘Resident Evil’ movies (also video game adaptations) portrays Lt. Natalie Artemis, while Jaa plays a character simply known as The Hunter.  Lt. Artemis is an original character, but as Anderson assured, her armor and weaponry will be taken from the games.  As he said, “She is the game player, in a way, she is the audience’s avatar, their way into the world.”

As IGN recognized, Artemis is carrying two Dual Blades on her back, a carving knife on her thigh and a “Slinger” on her left arm.  Her chest plate is based on the “Odogaron chest piece” from ‘Monster Hunter World’.  Jaa is equipped with a “Giant Jawblade” and a “Great Hunter’s Bow.”  Jaa’s armor is inspired by that of the “Field Team Leader” from ‘Monster Hunter World.

As Anderson stated:

“The beauty of the costumes and the landscapes from the Monster Hunter game really kind of came out in that image.”

(For a higher resolution image, visit IGN.)

This picture was taken in South Africa’s Atlantis Dunes, but Anderson says that ‘Monster Hunter’ will film in various environments, including “more rocky landscapes,” “terrifying caves,” and a “kind of lush, more jungle-y” location.

He also gave a major clue as to the setting of the film’s climax:

“The idea that there was this Ancient Civilization that existed in the deep parts, and which, when you’re playing the games, you sometimes kind of stumble upon the ruins of this civilization, an advanced civilization that brought about its own destruction. And one of those sets of ruins provides a big backdrop for the final act of the film. So it’s a pretty varied landscape. I mean, you’re not gonna get as many landscapes as you would if you spent fifty hours playing Monster Hunter World, but I think for a two-hour movie, you’re going to really go on an amazing journey with amazing visuals.”

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.

‘Monster Hunter’ also stars Meagan Good, T.I., Diego Boneta, and Ron Perlman.  It does not yet have a release date.