Greg Russo, one of the screenwriters responsible for Warner Bros.’ 2021 Mortal Kombat reboot, has been hired to not only write, but direct, the upcoming live-action series based on LookingGlass Technologies’ classic first-person cyberpunk adventure, System Shock.
The news was shared by Deadline today, which was also the first to reveal back in October that the System Shock series would premiere exclusively on Binge, a gaming entertainment streaming platform that allows users to earn rewards just by watching its content.
Russo is also working on two other video game adaptations—Space Invaders for New Line and Warner Bros., and Saints Row for The Fate of the Furious director F. Gary Gray—according to Deadline’s coverage.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to work alongside the fantastic team at Binge and Nightdive Studios to bring the iconic System Shock franchise to life,” said Russo. “I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to make my directorial debut, and I finally found it.”
“Greg is a superbly talented screenwriter who possesses an unmatched knowledge and passion for gaming,” added Binge Chief Content Officer Allan Ungar. “His artistic approach to storytelling and his deep understanding of the source material will undoubtedly get fans excited about this new franchise. We’re thrilled to be bringing him on board and can’t wait to share his vision with audiences worldwide.”
Originally released in 1994, System Shock has remained significant for being one of the first shooters to successfully blend great level design with an engrossing story that was told via audio logs—a narrative device that spiritual successors such as BioShock were eager to embrace. Nightdive Studios, which is executive producing the System Shock show, has yet to share a definitive release date for its remake.
Source: Deadline