Script Sorcery: Hazelight's Split Fiction Movie Lands a Draft (and Josef Fares is Still Waving His Wand, Cautiously)
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
The script for Hazelight's *Split Fiction* film adaptation is complete, with Sydney Sweeney attached to star, though studio head Josef Fares remains characteristically pragmatic about its eventual release, highlighting Hollywood's long and uncertain adaptation process.
Right, so you know how some game adaptations feel like they’re conjured by a wizard who forgot the 'good ending' spell? Well, occasionally, the arcane winds shift, and we get a whisper of something genuinely intriguing. This time, it's about Hazelight's wonderfully innovative co-op adventure, *Split Fiction*, making its tentative leap to the silver screen. And mate, I’ve been tinkering with this story all morning, and bloody hell, it’s got layers.
First off, let's talk about *Split Fiction*. If you haven't dived into it, you absolutely should. It's a game born from the brilliant, slightly chaotic mind of Josef Fares and the wizards at Hazelight. These are the folks who gave us *A Way Out* and *It Takes Two* – games that don’t just *have* co-op, they *are* co-op, baked into the very fabric of their design. *Split Fiction* continues this legacy, thrusting two aspiring writers into simulations of their own stories, forcing them to collaborate to escape. It's a meta narrative wrapped in innovative gameplay, perfect for anyone who loves a good story and yelling at their mate for not pulling their weight on a puzzle.
Now, word on the digital street (which, let's be honest, is where most of us live these days) is that the first finalised script for the *Split Fiction* film adaptation has landed. You might recall this whole shebang was announced last year, with the media company Story Kitchen – a name that should ring a few bells if you've been tracking other game-to-screen projects like *ToeJam and Earl*, *Vampire Survivors*, or *Slime Rancher* – bustling away, assembling the necessary arcane ingredients (cast, writers, director, the whole kit and caboodle).
Soon after that initial buzz, two major names floated into the rumour mill: Euphoria and Eden actor Sydney Sweeney was tapped to star, while the sharp, witty minds behind *Deadpool*, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, were slated to handle the script. And handle it they appear to have done.
Our mate Josef Fares, the bloke who famously told the Oscars to, well, you know, has chimed in with his usual blend of rock-solid pragmatism and genuine artistic passion. Speaking to Moviezine, Fares confirmed he'd seen the first version of the script. But ever the cautious alchemist, he added, "I usually say it like this 'I believe it when I see it'." And honestly, after years of Hollywood promising us the moon on a stick with game adaptations, only to deliver a half-baked potato, can you blame him? That’s healthy skepticism, that is. It's like preparing for a boss fight in an RPG – you hear the fanfare, you see the health bar, but you don't truly believe you've won until the loot drops.
Here’s where it gets a touch more interesting, and a perfect example of how those digital tea leaves can get misinterpreted. Fares was initially quoted as saying he'd chatted with a "hyped" Sweeney about the project. My curiosity, however, sensed a slight shimmer in the translation spell. And sure enough, thanks to an eagle-eyed Eurogamer commenter, the nuance was revealed. It seems Fares was actually struggling a moment to recall her name, saying something along the lines of, "It's kind of a done deal that it will star... what's her name, the one that is so hyped/popular... Sydney Sweeney."
So, less about Sweeney being personally 'hyped' for the film (though I'm sure she is, who wouldn't be for a Hazelight project?), and more about Fares noting her general, undeniable popularity. It's a small detail, but a crucial one when you're trying to divine the true intentions behind Hollywood’s often opaque pronouncements. Fares did, however, add that he'd had a meeting with her and she seemed "super chill," which, in the grand scheme of things, is probably just as important as genuine enthusiasm. A chill, talented actor can make magic happen.
Now, for the big question mark: when do we actually get to see this magic unfold? Fair dinkum, there's no word on when filming for *Split Fiction* will actually kick off. And let's be honest, Sweeney's dance card looks fuller than a level cap dungeon raid. She's attached to Colman Domingo's romantic drama *Scandalous*, a *Gundam* adaptation (which, bloody hell, I’m *intrigued* by), and she’s even set to produce an adaptation of *OutRun*. So, yeah, *Split Fiction* might be cooking for a while longer.
And just to add another layer of cautious optimism (or perhaps, gentle dread), let's not forget *Split Fiction* isn't the only Hazelight game eyeing the big screen. Back in 2022, the delightful marital platformer *It Takes Two* was also slated for a film and TV adaptation. But since then? Silence. Crickets. Even Josef Fares himself admitted to Eurogamer last year that he didn't know what was happening with it. It's a classic example of how Hollywood often starts a hundred projects, hoping one or two will actually make it to release, like a wizard throwing spells at a wall hoping one will stick.
So, what does this all mean for us, the actual players and fans of Hazelight’s unique brand of co-op storytelling? On the one hand, it's genuinely exciting to see a game like *Split Fiction* get this kind of attention. It’s a testament to the power of unique narrative design and player collaboration. On the other hand, the road from script to screen is a long, winding, and often perilous one, fraught with delays, creative differences, and the dreaded development hell.
My take? I’m cautiously optimistic. The involvement of Story Kitchen shows a clear intent to bring more game IPs to screen, and the writing talent of Reese and Wernick is certainly a promising sign. And Sydney Sweeney? She’s a formidable talent. But until I see that first trailer, or perhaps even hear Fares give his full, unvarnished blessing, I’ll be keeping my expectations charged, but my spell components ready for a quick retreat. Here’s hoping *Split Fiction* breaks the mould and gives us an adaptation worthy of Hazelight’s unique magic.
This fascinating nugget of information initially surfaced thanks to the diligent reporting of Victoria Phillips Kennedy over at Eurogamer, updated on Jan. 30, 2026. Keep those eyes peeled, mates, for more updates from the wild, chaotic world of gaming adaptations.
Tags: Gaming Adaptations, Hazelight, Split Fiction, Film News, Josef Fares
Original article: Eurogamer