By Derrik J. Lang, Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --"Fury" is rolling into "World of Tanks."
Before the World War II tank drama reaches theaters Oct. 17, video gamers can make like Brad Pitt's character, Sgt. Don "Wardaddy" Collier, and steer a virtual rendition of the tank he commands in the film. It's the latest example of a likeminded movie and game aligning to hype each other, and it marks the first Hollywood pact for the popular online tank combat title.
"It made sense," said Victor Kislyi, CEO of "World of Tanks" developer Wargaming. "Both audiences are interested in historical accuracy, so why don't we do something together? We didn't want to overdo it. We appreciate the opportunity, but our audience wants appropriateness. It's show business. You never know how it's going to turn out before the premiere."
The movie, set in 1945, follows a five-man crew as they carry out brutal missions behind enemy lines during the final days of the war. Beginning this week, "World of Tanks Blitz" players can purchase a "Fury"-themed bundle for $15 that adds the film's M4A3E8 Sherman tank — right down to the name Fury scrawled on the gun — to the mobile version of the game.
The nimble war machine, as well as a crew member resembling Pitt's "Wardaddy" and "Fury"-themed missions inspired by the film's battles between German and American forces, will also be deployed to the PC and Xbox 360 editions of "World of Tanks" for $30. While the game is free to play, upgraded tanks and resources cost extra for wannabe tankers.
The game, originally released in Russia in 2010, currently features about 110 million registered players around the world battling each other in 500 different types of tanks representing various nations. ("World of Tanks" boasts the Guinness World Record for the most players simultaneously on one server: 190,541 on a Russian server in 2013.)
Sony Pictures approached Wargaming about the "Fury" collaboration after filmmakers recruited some of the same tank experts that the Cyprus-based game studio enlists to ensure accuracy in "World of Tanks." ''Fury" director David Ayers was on hand at Wargaming's Electronic Entertainment Expo booth this summer to preview footage from the movie.
Such cross-promotional efforts in Hollywood have long been considered to be more beneficial for games than films, but in an era where the latest installments in game franchises like "Halo" and "Call of Duty" are promoted with marketing budgets larger than many film releases, the Belarus-born Kislyi doesn't see the alliance with "Fury" the same way.
"I believe that this movie could have a significant extra audience because of the millions and millions of 'World of Tanks' gamers," he said. "The movie is the movie. The game is the game. However, how can you not want to go and watch this movie if you play this game, if you are someone who is hooked on German and American tank combat? You'll have to see it."
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More