10 Movie Anti-Heroes You NEED To Play As In Video Games

Summary

  • Rick Deckard from Blade Runner could star in a dystopian open-world, but hasn’t appeared in video games yet.
  • V for Vendetta’s iconic lead, V, offers an interesting premise for a video game similar to Assassin’s Creed.
  • Thelma & Louise’s complex character dynamic could make for an engaging female-centric co-op adventure game.

Occasionally, as a gaming enthusiast, I find myself yearning for a change from saving princesses or exploring ancient ruins as my usual heroes like Mario and Lara Croft. Every now and then, it’s refreshing to step into the shoes of a character who isn’t all good – someone with a complex moral landscape. That’s why many iconic video games have thrived by featuring anti-heroes, those protagonists whose heroism is tinted by intricate flaws.

As a passionate gamer, I’ve found myself deeply immersed in the rich tapestry of anti-heroes that video games have brought to life, from Joel Miller in The Last of Us, to Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic, and Ciri in The Witcher. Yet, there are many intriguing anti-heroes from the silver screen (or who have been brilliantly portrayed by films) that I believe could make an exceptional addition to the gaming world someday.

10. Rick Deckard

Players Could Hunt Replicants In A Dystopian Open-World

Creator Philip K. Dick (author), Ridley Scott (director)
Appears In Blade Runner, Blade Runner 2049
Portrayed By Harrison Ford
Skills/Abilities Bounty hunting, weapon handling

Rick Deckard, much like other characters on this list, hails from initial stories but is predominantly recognized due to Harrison Ford’s portrayal in Ridley Scott’s “Blade Runner.” As a bounty hunter pursuing rogue androids (or replicants), the narrative unfolds with Deckard initially showing no empathy towards them. However, throughout the story, he grows to feel a profound sense of compassion for these artificial beings.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but be astonished that the legendary role of Rick Deckard, played by Harrison Ford, hasn’t graced our gaming screens yet. There have been several Blade Runner video games released over the years, starting with the 1985 version for Commodore 64, followed by a PC game in 1997, and more recently, one for VR systems in 2018. Yet, none of these games seem to include Rick Deckard as a playable character or even an NPC (Non-Player Character). It’s baffling, considering the impact and iconic status of this character in the Blade Runner universe.

9. V

Remember, Remember This Comic Book Anti-Hero?

Creator Alan Moore (writer) & David Lloyd (illustrator)
Appears In V for Vendetta
Portrayed By Hugo Weaving
Skills/Abilities Weapon handling, stealth, computer hacking

Alan Moore, known for his strong stance against adaptations of his intellectual property, has consistently maintained this position with regards to “V for Vendetta” from 2005. This resistance has led to no video game adaptations of his graphic novel series. However, the 2005 movie presents an opportunity for its captivating main character, the mysterious freedom fighter V, to stir up some digital chaos in a gaming environment.

From the standpoint of an ardent admirer, it’s intriguing to envision V as a playable character in a video game, bearing some resemblance to the gameplay style of the celebrated Assassin’s Creed franchise. Considering V for Vendetta hails from the esteemed DC Comics universe, one can’t help but wonder if there could be a realm where V interacts with other legendary DC Comics figures, such as Batman or even the characters conceived by Alan Moore himself in Watchmen.

8. Wanda Maximoff

Would It Be More Like Bayonetta Or The Sims?

Creator Stan Lee (writer) & Jack Kirby (illustrator), Joss Whedon (screenwriter/director)
Appears In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, What If…?
Portrayed By Elizabeth Olsen
Skills/Abilities Witchcraft, chaos magic, dreamwalking, reality warping

While it might not adhere strictly to technical fairness to categorize the Scarlet Witch alongside movie-inspired anti-heroes due to her extensive comic book background, it’s worth noting that Elizabeth Olsen’s portrayal of Wanda Maximoff has significantly reshaped the character. If a Scarlet Witch video game were ever developed, shows like “WandaVision” could offer intriguing ideas for inspiration.

Currently, Wanda Maximoff can be played in games such as Marvel Rivals and Marvel’s Midnight Suns, but she is just one of many playable characters from the Marvel Comics universe. Considering her growing popularity over time and her temporary absence from the MCU, this moment seems ideal to thrill Scarlet Witch fans with a well-crafted video game featuring Elizabeth Olsen’s portrayal.

7. Oh Dae-su

Action Video Games Would Never Be Better

Creator Park Chan-wook (screenwriter/director)
Appears In Oldboy
Portrayed By Choi Min-sik
Skills/Abilities Hand-to-hand combat, weapon handling

Back in 2003, Park Chan-wook’s masterpiece, Oldboy, left an indelible mark on the action film genre. And here’s the kicker: despite its legendary status, no video game adaptation has graced our screens yet. Now, you might have seen the 2013 American remake, starring Josh Brolin and Elizabeth Olsen, but let’s face it – it didn’t quite live up to the original. But oh, how I wish we could experience this riveting tale of vengeance in a video game format, something along the lines of Grand Theft Auto.

The intriguing lead character in the movie, Oh Dae-su, portrayed by Choi Min-sik, would be an exciting role to take on, given his journey from being imprisoned, pursuing his adversaries, and engaging in intense brawls. Fortunately, adapting Oldboy beyond its original cinematic context seems relatively accessible, so a video game adaptation could potentially be the ideal choice.

6. The Bride

It Definitely Won’t Be E For Everyone

Creator Quentin Tarantino (screenwriter/director), Uma Thurman (actress)
Appears In Kill Bill Vol. 1, Kill Bill Vol. 2
Portrayed By Uma Thurman
Skills/Abilities Weapon handling

Among Quentin Tarantino’s films, “Kill Bill” seems to be the most suitable for a video game adaptation. Starring Uma Thurman as “The Bride,” it’s an action-packed revenge tale influenced by martial arts and 70s exploitation flicks. It’s surprising that no video game was developed based on this movie, considering its two-part release in 2003 and 2004, which coincided with the peak of blockbuster movies being turned into video games.

In a variety of gaming genres, from side-scrolling brawlers to action-packed hack-and-slash games like God of War, the narrative of The Bride seems tailor-made for a video game adaptation. As you progress, you climb the hierarchy of Bill’s associates, level by challenging level. It would add an exciting twist if characters from Tarantino’s movies made appearances as playable characters, such as Jules from Pulp Fiction, Django from Django Unchained, and Shoshanna from Inglorious Basterds.

5. John Wick

We Know Keanu Would Be Into It

Creator Derek Kolstad (screenwriter) & Chad Stahelski (director)
Appears In John Wick, John Wick: Chapter 2, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, John Wick: Chapter 4, From the World of John Wick: Ballerina, The Continental: From the World of John Wick
Portrayed By Keanu Reeves
Skills/Abilities Weapon handling, mixed martial arts

Regardless of whether you’ve watched the ‘John Wick’ movies or not, it’s clear that the character could easily fit into a video game format. Keanu Reeves has previously lent his voice to video game adaptations such as ‘The Matrix’ and ‘Constantine’, and even made cameo appearances in games like ‘Fortnite’ and ‘Payday 2’. Given this, it seems that a full-fledged ‘John Wick’ video game is long overdue.

With the imminent release of the movie “Ballerina” featuring Ana de Armas, this could be an ideal moment to transform the captivating world of “John Wick” into a video game. This potential adaptation might delve into earlier exploits of Reeves’ character before the first film, or introduce a fresh character who interacts with John Wick in some way. Regardless, it presents an excellent backdrop for a thrilling action-adventure game focused on high-stakes situations.

4. Harley Quinn

Margot Robbie’s Anti-Barbie Deserves Another Chance

Creator Paul Dini (writer) & Bruce Timm (illustrator), David Ayer (screenwriter/director)
Appears In Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), The Suicide Squad
Portrayed By Margot Robbie
Skills/Abilities Weapon handling

In contrast to Scarlet Witch, Harley Quinn might not seem fitting for this list at first glance. After all, she was initially introduced in Batman: The Animated Series and has appeared extensively in video games such as Batman: Arkham Knight and Injustice 2. Yet, similar to how Elizabeth Olsen portrays Wanda, Margot Robbie’s depiction of Harley offers a unique, innovative twist on the character.

Her portrayal has definitely influenced other depictions of Harley Quinn, such as the HBO animated series with Kaley Cuoco in it. If DC is not considering bringing back Harley Quinn anytime soon, casting Margot Robbie again for the video game adaptation of Birds of Prey, alongside The Huntress and Black Canary, would be a smart move as it continues her portrayal.

3. The Man With No Name

Creator Sergio Leone (screenwriter/director)
Appears In A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, The Good The Bad and the Ugly
Portrayed By Clint Eastwood
Skills/Abilities Bounty hunting

In film history, one of the most memorable characters is Clint Eastwood’s The Man with No Name, starring in Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns. Given that video games have masterfully portrayed the Wild West through titles like Red Dead Redemption, it appears a natural choice to transform these cinematic classics into a video game series, bringing back to life Eastwood’s enigmatic marksman in an enduringly silent role.

Absolutely, the enigmatic character known as “Man with No Name” has left a lasting impact on video game characters. Characters like Solid Snake from “Metal Gear Solid” and the protagonist in the DOS point-and-click game “The Town with No Name” were undeniably influenced by him. In his final appearance in “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” he galloped off into the horizon, leaving a trail of mystery behind him… wouldn’t it be intriguing to uncover some of those untold adventures?

2. Furiosa

Just Imagine Exploring Fury Road To Your Heart’s Desire

Creator George Miller (screenwriter/director), Brendon McCarthy (screenwriter), Nico Lauthoris (screenwriter)
Appears In Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Portrayed By Charlize Theron, Anya Taylor-Joy, Alyla Browne
Skills/Abilities Driving, weapons handling, mechanical engineering

In the movie “Mad Max: Fury Road,” Charlize Theron’s character, Furiosa, swiftly became a renowned hero. However, Anya Taylor-Joy’s portrayal in the 2024 film “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” revealed that Furiosa was more complex, playing the role of an anti-hero. In this story, Furiosa is separated from her family and assumes the disguise of a mechanic under Immortan Joe. By defeating Dementus at the end of the film, she earns the position of his Imperator.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but feel excited about the potential of a new Mad Max video game. With its expansive open world and thrilling driving sequences, it’s a franchise that seems tailor-made for the gaming medium. While the 2015 game primarily focuses on Max’s journey, I believe there’s a lot of untapped potential in exploring the story of Furiosa after Mad Max: Fury Road. If a film continuation never comes to fruition, a game could be an excellent way to delve deeper into her character. Interestingly enough, George Miller himself has mentioned Hideo Kojima as his top pick for directing such a game.

1. Thelma & Louise

Creator Callie Khouri (screenwriter), Ridley Scott (director)
Appears In Thelma & Louise
Portrayed By Geena Davis & Susan Sarandon
Skills/Abilities Driving, weapons handling

Enthusiasts of video games are drawn to intricate characters, and who could be more morally complex than the narrative of “Thelma & Louise“? The main characters in this movie are forced on the run after accidentally killing a man at a roadhouse, aiming to reach Mexico to avoid capture. One can visualize the film being adapted as a female-focused version of “A Way Out>”, requiring cooperative play by default.

In terms of gameplay, “Thelma & Louise” could merge the expansive landscapes of “Red Dead Redemption” with the action-packed style of “Grand Theft Auto”. This would allow players to navigate towards Mexico while avoiding capture, and if they choose, engage in further criminal activities. Ideally, the game’s conclusion would offer a more favorable outcome for the duo compared to the film’s ending.

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2025-02-09 04:36