Deadpool Writers Turn the Page on Hazelight’s Split Fiction: Can It Break the Video Game Movie Curse?
The Bottom Line Up Front: Josef Fares has officially seen the first script for the Split Fiction film adaptation. While the project boasts heavy-hitters like Sydney Sweeney and the writing duo behind Deadpool, Fares remains cautious—and so should we. Despite the momentum, Sweeney’s overloaded schedule and the radio silence surrounding the It Takes Two movie suggest this project is still miles from its release window.
The Power Players Behind the Adaptation
We’ve seen plenty of "cinematic" games fail to make the jump to the silver screen because they lack a strong narrative backbone. Split Fiction, however, is being handled by Story Kitchen, a media outfit that is rapidly becoming the A24 of the gaming world. They are currently juggling everything from Vampire Survivors to Slime Rancher, signaling they know how to pick IPs with unique hooks.
The attachment of Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (Deadpool, Zombieland) to the script is a massive win. Their experience with meta-commentary and high-octane pacing is the perfect fit for a story about writers trapped in their own simulations. If anyone can translate Fares’ frantic, co-op energy into a linear film, it’s these two.
Project Breakdown: Split Fiction Film
| Role | Name / Entity | Status / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Actor | Sydney Sweeney | Confirmed (Also producing OutRun) |
| Screenwriters | Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick | First script finalized |
| Production House | Story Kitchen | Specializing in game-to-film adaptations |
| Original Creator | Josef Fares (Hazelight) | Consulting; remains skeptical of Hollywood timelines |
Why We Aren't Pre-Ordering Our Movie Tickets Yet
In our analysis, the biggest threat to Split Fiction isn't the script—it's the calendar. Sydney Sweeney is currently the busiest actor in the industry. Between a Gundam adaptation and Colman Domingo’s Scandalous, her schedule is a logistical nightmare. We’ve seen high-profile adaptations enter "development hell" for much less.
Furthermore, we can't ignore the elephant in the room: It Takes Two. Despite being a Game of the Year juggernaut, the film adaptation of Hazelight’s marital platformer has effectively gone dark. Fares himself recently admitted he’s in the dark about its progress. This "radio silent" status on a proven IP makes us wary of getting too hyped for Split Fiction before cameras actually start rolling.
The Experience Factor: The Fares Philosophy
Our veteran team has followed Josef Fares since Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. He’s a "show, don't tell" creator who values the mechanical interaction of co-op gaming. The challenge for Split Fiction will be maintaining that Hazelight DNA without the player at the controller. Fares’ own take—"I believe it when I see it"—is the exact brand of realism we need in an era where game adaptations are announced daily but rarely reach the finish line.
- The Synergy: Sweeney is "hyped" and "super chill," according to Fares. Chemistry matters, especially if she’s expected to lead a project with this much meta-potential.
- The Risk: If Split Fiction loses its co-op spirit in translation, it risks becoming just another generic sci-fi thriller.
- The Horizon: Expect more news only after Sweeney clears her current filming slate in early 2024.
We’ll be watching this one closely. If Reese and Wernick can capture the chaotic, often abrasive humor that Fares is known for, Split Fiction could be the rare adaptation that actually adds something new to the source material rather than just diluting it for a mass audience.