Following a number of short teasers, Sony has released the full-length trailer for Paul W.S. Anderson’s (Mortal Kombat, Resident Evil) latest video game adaptation, Monster Hunter.
As you might expect, the film deviates from Capcom’s source material and takes a few major liberties, such as switching out the franchise’s typical Hunter protagonists for Milla Jovovich (Captain Artemis) and a team of military soldiers. After being transported to the Monster Hunter world via sandstorm/portal, Artemis teams up with an actual Hunter (played by Tony Jaa) to battle Diablos, Rathalos, and other monster staples.
Anderson (who learned about Monster Hunter during his travels to Japan) has professed his love for the franchise, calling the film a “passion project.” And while Monster Hunter isn’t a perfect adaptation, he noted that the armor and weapons in the movie were designed to look like their digital versions.
“Behind our world, there is another: a world of dangerous and powerful monsters that rule their domain with deadly ferocity,” a synopsis reads. “When an unexpected sandstorm transports Captain Artemis (Milla Jovovich) and her unit (TI Harris, Meagan Good, Diego Boneta) to a new world, the soldiers are shocked to discover that this hostile and unknown environment is home to enormous and terrifying monsters immune to their firepower.”
“In their desperate battle for survival, the unit encounters the mysterious Hunter (Tony Jaa), whose unique skills allow him to stay one step ahead of the powerful creatures. As Artemis and Hunter slowly build trust, she discovers that he is part of a team led by the Admiral (Ron Perlman). Facing a danger so great it could threaten to destroy their world, the brave warriors combine their unique abilities to band together for the ultimate showdown.”
Monster Hunter is expected to release in December, but like most blockbusters, Sony may decide to push it to 2021.