The worlds of “Alan Wake” and “Control” are the latest video games to be adapted for film and television.
Annapurna announced Thursday that it has partnered with Remedy Entertainment, the developer of the popular video games, to develop and produce film, television and audiovisual projects based on the “Alan Wake” and “Control” franchises. Annapurna will also co-produce and co-finance the upcoming video game sequel “Control 2.”
“At Remedy, we continue to focus on what we do best – creating industry-defining video games that have earned us worldwide recognition. Now is the right time to expand the reach of Remedy’s popular franchises to an even broader global audience through film, television and more. In Annapurna, we have found an outstanding partner who shares our ambition and passion for immersive storytelling. We are delighted that, thanks to this unique agreement, they will bring the universes and characters we have created to life in new media,” commented Tero Virtala, CEO of Remedy Entertainment.
The long-awaited Alan Wake 2, a sequel to the popular 2010 survival horror game, became Remedy’s fastest-selling game of all time. It follows author Alan Wake, who was trapped in a terrifying alternate dimension for 13 years. It was nominated for Game of the Year at the 2023 Video Game Awards, winning for Best Game Direction, Narrative and Art Direction.
Control (2019) is an action-adventure game set in the spooky offices of the Federal Bureau of Control, an agency that investigates paranormal phenomena. The main character, Jesse Faden, uses his own supernatural powers to investigate the FBC, and the world has many connections to the Alan Wake universe. Control was also nominated for Game of the Year at the 2019 VGAs, and won for Best Art Direction. A sequel is in the works.
“This deal with Remedy isn’t just about adapting great games – it’s about breaking new ground in how companies work together. By supporting Remedy’s move toward self-publishing, we’re putting our faith in their vision,” said Hector Sanchez, Annapurna’s president of interactive and new media. “We know from experience that Remedy is a world-class partner for game development, and we’re excited to bring their work to an even wider audience by bringing the Control and Alan Wake universes to film, television, and beyond.”
“The way we tell stories is changing,” said Megan Ellison, CEO of Annapurna. “Today, people fall in love with characters and universes, not formats, and we’re excited to leverage Remedy’s popular, immersive narratives in these new mediums.”
