Alright gamers, gather around! I just caught some absolutely fire news that I have to share with you all. You know Ben Wheatley, right? The director currently steering the ship for The Meg 2: The Trench? Well, while he's busy prepping to unleash more giant shark chaos, his mind is already racing towards the future of video game adaptations. And let me tell you, his dream projects are straight out of our collective gaming nostalgia. We're talking about Doom and Counter-Strike. I mean, come on, could you imagine a Wheatley-directed Counter-Strike movie? The tactical tension, the iconic maps... my mind is already racing!

So, let's break this down. Ben Wheatley is the man in the director's chair for the upcoming Meg 2. He took over from Jon Turteltaub, and he's promising to bring his own unique flavor to the giant shark franchise. We know he's got a wild mix of skills – from the atmospheric horror of In the Earth to the gothic thriller vibes of Rebecca on Netflix. This dude knows how to build tension and deliver scares, which is perfect for a monster movie, right? But here's the kicker: in a recent chat on The Playlist Podcast, he straight-up said his heart is still set on diving into the world of video game movies. And he didn't name just any games; he called out two legends.

He was quoted saying: "I still want to make a Doom film though. I know it’s been done, but come on! Or Counter-Strike, that would be the one I’d like to make." Can you feel the passion? It's not just a passing thought; it's a genuine desire to tackle these iconic IPs. This got me thinking... why are these picks so exciting?

Let's talk about the state of these franchises in film:

• Doom's Movie History: We've had two cracks at it already.

  • 2005's Doom: Starred The Rock! Had that cool first-person sequence. It was... a product of its time, let's say.

  • 2019's Doom: Annihilation: Went straight to video. Need I say more?

  • The Point: There's plenty of room for a truly terrifying, lore-accurate, and action-packed reimagining. A Wheatley Doom could be the brutal, hellish spectacle we've always wanted.

• Counter-Strike's Movie History: This one's simple.

  • It's a blank slate. Zero movie adaptations. Nada. Think about the potential! It's not about a single hero; it's about team dynamics, high-stakes objectives, and global counter-terrorism. It's Sicario meets Heat but in the world of Dust II and Inferno. The cinematic potential is massive!

Now, why is Ben Wheatley possibly the right guy for this job? It's all about his evolving toolkit.

1. Genre Flexibility: He's done horror, thriller, comedy. A video game movie needs to blend tones seamlessly.

2. Action Chops: The Meg 2 is going to be a huge, effects-driven action movie. By 2026, after working on that scale, his experience with big set-pieces will be next-level. Imagine him applying that to a Doom demon invasion or a Counter-Strike hostage rescue!

3. A Fresh Perspective: He's not coming from the typical blockbuster factory. He could bring a unique, gritty, and suspenseful style that these games deserve.

The landscape for video game movies has totally changed, hasn't it? It's not the kiss of death anymore. With stuff like Uncharted hitting theaters and more high-profile adaptations in the works, the timing has never been better. A director with a clear vision and genuine interest can absolutely make it work.

So, what's the game plan? First, we've got to get through The Meg 2. Wheatley is already teasing more megalodons and deeper trench adventures. Consider that his training ground for massive VFX and creature feature action. Once that's out in the world and (hopefully) makes a splash at the box office, his stock will rise even higher. That could be the perfect leverage to get a studio to greenlight one of his dream projects.

Personally, I'm rooting for Counter-Strike. A tight, serious, tactical military thriller with the Counter-Strike branding? That's an untapped goldmine. But a proper, R-rated Doom film that doesn't shy away from the sheer horror of the Hell invasion? Sign me up for either one!

What do you guys think? Would you rather see Ben Wheatley helm a new Doom movie or bring Counter-Strike to the big screen for the first time? Drop your thoughts in the comments! Let's dream big – the future of game adaptations is looking brighter, and having passionate directors like Wheatley at the helm is exactly what we need. In the meantime, I'll be over here rewatching trailers and imagining what a Wheatley-directed headshot cinematic would look like. Stay tuned, gamers!