After years in development hell, numerous directors leaving, and fan-casting falling apart, theUnchartedfilm looks like it’s finally on the way. Despite filming wrapping late last year, there hasn’t been much information on the film besides some stellar set photos or Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg, who will be playing Nathan Drake and Sully, respectively. Since Holland was revealed as Drake, fans of the original games have been divided between supporting an origin story for the famous adventurer and hating the choice altogether.
For a game as acclaimed and beloved as Uncharted, Nathan Drake is the glue that holds it all together. Why go with a younger version of this iconic main character, when he’s always been portrayed as at least pushing thirty?
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Different forces are probably at play with the decision for ayounger Nathan Drake. One of them is Tom Holland himself. It was Holland who thought a younger version of the treasure hunter would be interesting for audiences. Knowing Holland’s affiliation with Sony, who will be releasingUncharted, makes the situation clearer. Holland is one of the most profitable actors of the past five years, especially for Sony, thanks to the very successfulSpider-Manfilms. Holland’s widespread fanbase and name will be a great way to get those who didn’t originally play the games to the theaters for Uncharted’s release.
TheUnchartedfilm has been described as an origin story for Nathan Drake, making the film a prequel to the original franchise. A young Nathan Drake will probably be beginning his life of adventuring, perhaps even making it to Peru where the infamous El Dorado treasure is located by the film’s end. Making Drake younger and beginning his story before the events of the game is another great choice — that is from a financial perspective. It’s very possible that a trilogy of films could come out of theUnchartedseries, each watching Nathan Drakecome into his ownwith more familiar faces.
Just like there are pros to any choice, there are cons — something that will definitely happen because of a younger version of Nathan Drake. A lot of Drake’s shining qualities in the games are because of his older age. The firstUnchartedgame begins when Nathan is already adventuring and has been friends with Sully for years, dropping players right into the action instead of him coming into his own over the course of the game. His age makes him experienced, well-worn, and adds comedic flair to his outlandish situations. Based on his age, it also seems likely that this version of Nathan Drake will have a different relationship with Elena Fisher. In the games, Elena and Drake have a full-fledged relationship — from getting married to having their lifestyles affect their time together. With a young Drake, that doesn’t seem all that possible.
It also doesn’t help that a similar series has been given an origin story film in the last three years. TheTomb Raiderserieshas similar themes toUncharted— both about adventurers overcoming wild obstacles and coming out on top. In 2018, aTomb Raiderfilm was released (starring Alicia Vikander in the titular role) and was focused on Lara Croft’s origins as a dungeon explorer in the footsteps of her prolific father. The film, while entertaining, falls into the problem that many origin films have with their plot — feeling more like putting puzzle pieces together instead of organic storytelling. Origin stories are also saturating the film landscape at the moment. With the rise in superhero films thanks to the massive success of the MCU and DCEU, origin stories of beloved heroes are a dime a dozen. It would be nice for an adaptation to drop its viewers into the action during its first film, not form the hero in its runtime. It’s still possible that while the Uncharted film will be exploring Nathan Drake’s origins, it’s entirely possible that the action-adventure film will have more than a few surprises up its sleeves.
Despite all the opinions and backlash, fans won’t really have a clear idea untilUnchartedpremieres next year or a trailer finally arrives. The film is currently in post-production, according to director Ruben Fleischer — who is known for directing theZombielandseries and30 Minutes Or Less— so the latter could be sooner rather than later. Young Nathan Drake or not, the fact that theUnchartedfilm is finally coming out is an achievement in itself, especially with the long and tumultuous process it has been. Let’s hope it was worth all of the time fans spent waiting.
Unchartedis scheduled to release in theaters on May 17, 2025.
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