A Live-action 'Pac-man' Movie Is In The Works, Generating Far More Questions Than Excitement

We could well be about to see the extent to which video-game lovers will show up for a film starring a classic character, as Wayfarer Studios is currently in the production of a live-action Pac-Man movie.

The project, which was announced online yesterday, is based on an original idea from producer Chuck Williams, the brain behind the 2020 Sonic the Hedgehog movie.

The live-action #PacMan project will be based on an original idea from Chuck Williams, who worked on #SonictheHedgehog https://t.co/kdpNa5BfHD

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) August 9, 2022

At the moment, that's really all the information there is about a Pac-Man movie, generating lots of questions about what such a film could even look like. Pac-Man, while iconic, is not exactly a heroic video game character.

Unlike Sonic or Mario games, Pac-Man games are basically devoid of plot and are more puzzle- and challenge-focused. Basically, they have more in common with Tetris than they do games starring other iconic video game mascots from the '80s and '90s.

Furthermore, Pac-Man as a character essentially has no personality. While spin-off media has attempted to create a personality for him, these have largely produced forgettable results. Pac-Man's sole purpose in his games is to eat pellets in a maze while avoiding ghosts. While this could make for a potentially haunting, existential art film, this is likely not the vibe Warfarer Studios is going for.

Some wondered about how the film will be "live-action." Would it be live-action in the sense that Sonic the Hedgehog was live-action, starring a 3D-rendering of the title mascot interacting with real people, or, perhaps more humorously, could Pac-Man be just a guy in a costume, Wilfred-style? Will Pac-Man be voiced by Chris Pratt? What could the story possibly be?

They announced a #PacMan movie. I guess we should all start placing bets on the character being voiced by Chris Pratt or The Rock…

— Crushed Monocle Podcast (@Crushed_Monocle) August 8, 2022

live action pacman movie teaser leaked pic.twitter.com/LzTQ3KZJzJ

— if we just morty (@s1ckf1t) August 8, 2022

There is literally no narrative where a live-action Pacman movie could work

— Didz (@bggidee) August 8, 2022

Until more news comes out, we mortals will have to sit and wonder and/or fear a future featuring live-action Pac-Man.