A live-action Metal Gear Solid movie is officially moving forward at Sony Pictures, with directing duo Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein set to helm the long-anticipated adaptation. The announcement follows the pair’s rising profile after the commercial and critical success of Final Destination: Bloodlines, which helped establish them among the most in-demand genre filmmakers currently working in Hollywood.

The project marks the first major live-action adaptation of the iconic stealth-action franchise created by Hideo Kojima, bringing one of gaming’s most cinematic properties closer than ever to the big screen.

Sony Signs Directors to Major First-Look Deal

Alongside the Metal Gear Solid announcement, Sony Pictures has signed Lipovsky and Stein to a sweeping first-look agreement covering all of the studio’s film labels. Under the deal, their newly launched production company Wonderlab will develop original projects for the duo to direct while also producing films for other filmmakers.

The partnership reflects Sony’s confidence in the pair’s ability to deliver commercially appealing, character-driven genre films designed for theatrical audiences. According to Sony Motion Picture Group president Sanford Panitch, the studio views Lipovsky and Stein as standout storytellers with strong visual instincts and a proven command of suspense-driven filmmaking.

For the directors, the agreement strengthens an already growing relationship with Sony following collaborations across several divisions over the past year.

Metal Gear Solid Adaptation Aims to Bring Kojima’s Vision to Theaters

Lipovsky and Stein described Metal Gear Solid as a groundbreaking cinematic experience that helped reshape storytelling in video games. Their adaptation aims to translate the franchise’s signature mix of espionage, science fiction, and political drama into a theatrical event film for global audiences.

The film will be produced by Avi Arad and Ari Arad, continuing their involvement with several major video game adaptations under Sony’s banner.

While casting details and a release window have not yet been announced, expectations remain high given the franchise’s reputation as one of the most influential cinematic video game experiences ever created.

Directors’ Momentum Continues Across Multiple Major Projects

Lipovsky and Stein’s collaboration with Sony extends beyond Metal Gear Solid. The duo are also directing an animated Venom feature for Sony Pictures Animation and developing the original science-fiction project The Earthling for Columbia Pictures.

Their recent success with Final Destination: Bloodlines played a major role in securing these opportunities. Released in 2025, the film earned over $317 million (approximately RM1.49 billion) worldwide on a production budget of around $50 million (approximately RM235 million), becoming not only the highest-grossing entry in the long-running franchise but also its best-reviewed installment.

With multiple studio projects already in development and a high-profile Metal Gear Solid adaptation now officially underway, Lipovsky and Stein appear positioned to become key creative figures in Sony’s next wave of large-scale genre filmmaking.