Zack Snyder, known for his visually striking and often controversial superhero films like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, almost had a very different career trajectory. While his signature style of slow-motion action and dramatic visuals seems tailor-made for video games, his forays into the interactive medium have been surprisingly limited. A recent revelation, however, unveils a hidden chapter in Snyder’s career: a video game adaptation of Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole that predates the 2010 animated film.
Following the success of 300, Snyder secured a deal with Electronic Arts (EA) to develop several video games. This coincided with a period in Hollywood where prominent directors like Steven Spielberg were also exploring the gaming landscape, working on titles like Boom Blox and Medal of Honor. While Spielberg’s projects saw the light of day, Snyder’s gaming ventures never materialized, remaining unannounced and shrouded in mystery. However, an interview with Dead Space creator Glen Schofield has finally shed some light on one of these lost projects.
Schofield recounted encounters with various Hollywood figures during Dead Space’s development, including consultations with directors like Wes Craven and James Wan. Among these consultations was a visit from Zack Snyder himself, who was at EA pitching a different game. Schofield confirmed that this game was indeed an adaptation of Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole, a story Snyder would later bring to the screen as an animated feature.
The Owls of Ga’Hoole film stands out as an anomaly in Snyder’s filmography, a family-friendly animated feature amidst his repertoire of R-rated action epics. The film’s mixed critical reception and modest box office performance perhaps explain why Snyder hasn’t revisited this genre since. However, Schofield’s revelation that Snyder was pitching the game “way before” the film adds a fascinating layer to the story.
The idea of a AAA video game centered around owls, especially one envisioned by the director known for gritty action, seems unconventional, to say the least. The Owls of Ga’Hoole did eventually receive a video game tie-in upon the film’s release, but this was published by Warner Brothers, not EA. This suggests that Snyder’s original vision for the game never came to fruition. Instead, a separate studio likely created a game closely tied to the film’s narrative, a common practice for Hollywood adaptations at the time.
This raises the intriguing possibility that Snyder’s initial game concept, after being rejected, influenced his decision to adapt The Owls of Ga’Hoole into an animated film. While the film is based on a book series and not an original Snyder creation, the fact that he initially envisioned it as a game before transitioning to film is a noteworthy detail.
Despite the unrealized Owls of Ga’Hoole project, Snyder’s gaming ambitions persist. An RPG based on his Rebel Moon film series is currently in development. Whether this project will resonate with audiences, particularly given the mixed reception of the Rebel Moon films, remains to be seen. Only time will tell if Snyder’s vision for a Rebel Moon RPG will finally allow him to leave his mark on the gaming world.
