Andy Serkis (aka Gollum, aka Renoir) Reckons Hollywood's Finally Getting a Clue About Games, Mate
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
Andy Serkis, fresh from his role in *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33*, believes Hollywood's long-standing snobbery towards video games is finally dissolving, citing actors' growing enthusiasm and the ironic reliance on game engines for film production.
Alright, gather 'round, digital adventurers! Our mate Andy Serkis – the absolute legend behind everyone from Gollum to the fashion editor in *13 Going on 30* (seriously, go rewatch it) – has been making waves again. This time, it's not just for his stellar performance as Renoir in the rather stunning *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* (which, fair dinkum, has been hoovering up awards since its release last year). Nope, he's actually dropped some rather insightful observations about how Tinseltown is finally, *finally*, starting to pull its head out of the sand regarding video games. And it’s about bloody time, if you ask me.
Speaking to Variety, Serkis gushed about *Clair Obscur*, praising its powerful music and emotional narrative, calling it 'darn beautiful.' And honestly, when someone with Serkis's chops says that, you listen. What's even more interesting is his firm stance: "I don't see any difference between that and acting in films, or on stage, or TV," he declared. "It's exactly the same. You approach the character and build a character in the same way." See? It’s not just pressing 'A' to emote, folks; it’s *acting*.
He cast his mind back to his own first foray into gaming, playing King Bohan in Ninja Theory's *Heavenly Sword*. Back then, he remembers, actors treated game roles like they were starring in a 'My First Acting Gig' VHS tape. But oh, how the turntables have... turned. Now, it seems young drama school graduates are practically tripping over themselves to get into games. It's like finding out the cool kids table is actually in the server room, not the director's tent.
And here’s where Serkis, bless his observant cotton socks, hits on a bit of delicious irony. Hollywood, the same industry that once looked down its nose at our pixelated passion, is now using video game engines during film production. That's right, mate! Unreal Engine, Unity, you name it – these digital sorcery tools are helping filmmakers visualise those epic action sequences and allowing cinematographers to figure out their shots and lighting before even rolling a single camera. "It's an essential tool of modern film making," Serkis states, adding that the old snobbery is definitely on the way out, especially as we hurtle towards more immersive storytelling. It’s almost like they spent decades trying to build a fire with a damp match, then realised they had a flamethrower called 'game engine' sitting right there all along.
This isn't just Serkis talking smack, either. High-profile actors diving into games is becoming as common as finding a rogue goblin in your inventory. We've seen Keanu Reeves in *Cyberpunk 2077*, Idris Elba in *Phantom Liberty*, and the absolute triple-threat of Mads Mikkelsen, Léa Seydoux, and Norman Reedus in Hideo Kojima's *Death Stranding*. Even Serkis's *Expedition 33* co-star, Charlie Cox, is reportedly lining up another game gig, promising he'll be "much more involved" this time – hinting at full motion capture. Bloody brilliant, if you ask me.
So, what does this all mean for us, the players? Well, for starters, it means even richer, more emotionally resonant stories, brought to life by top-tier talent. It means the lines between 'film' and 'game' are blurring into a glorious, interactive nebula. And let's be honest, it’s a bit of a vindicating moment for those of us who always knew games were a legitimate, powerful art form. Hollywood's finally catching up, and that, my friends, is proper exciting news. Credit where credit's due to Victoria Phillips Kennedy over at Eurogamer for sniffing out the original chat with Serkis; always appreciate a good scoop, eh?
Tags: Andy Serkis, Hollywood, Video Games, Clair Obscur, Game Development
Original article: Eurogamer