Quantic Dream's Beyond: Two Souls is being adapted into a TV series. Deadline reports that Elliot Page's Pageboy Productions has acquired the rights from developer Quantic Dream S.A.S. to develop the supernatural action-adventure game into a television series.
Game-based television series have seen a resurgence in recent years thanks to the success of shows like The Last of Us and Fallout. Unlike these two major franchises though, Beyond: Two Souls exists as just a single game that was released on PlayStation 3 back in 2013.
Page actually has a meaningful connection to the project, having starred in the video game alongside Willem Dafoe. Written and directed by David Cage, Beyond: Two Souls is a psychological action thriller that follows the life of Jodie Holmes (portrayed by Page), a young woman who possesses supernatural powers through her psychic link to a supernatural entity known as Aiden. Dafoe co-stars as Nathan Dawkins, a researcher in the Department of Paranormal Activity and Jodie's surrogate-father-figure.
In this interactive adventure, players experience the life of Jodie, with their actions determining her fate "as she faces extraordinary challenges, danger, and heart-wrenching loss on a journey to discover the truth of who she is."
As is the case with other games by Quantic Dream, the decisions and actions you make as Jodie impact how the story unfolds. "By playing as both Jodie and Aiden, you will face spectacular physical and psychological challenges to understand what truly lies… beyond," the game description reads.
A singularly unique psychological action thriller delivered by A-list Hollywood performances, Beyond: Two Souls™ takes you on a thrilling journey across the globe as you play out the remarkable life of Jodie Holmes. Born with a connection to a mysterious entity with incredible powers, Jodie was different. In an adventure spanning 15 years of her life, your actions will determine Jodie's fate as she faces extraordinary challenges, danger, and heartwrenching loss on a journey to discover the truth of who she is. Beyond: Two Souls™ promises an emotionally-charged journey unlike any video game before.
The series adaptation is now in early development. While we don't have an official synopsis, it is expected to follow the game's non-linear narrative, while expanding on the characters and their journeys.
“Filming the game was one of the most challenging and fulfilling acting experiences of my career,” Page said. “The story’s rich narrative and emotional depth offer us a fantastic foundation. We want to create a unique vision of the characters and their journeys that resonates with fans and newcomers.”
“This adaptation will honor the game’s legacy while inviting fresh perspectives,” Pageboy’s Head of Development and Production Matt Jordan Smith added. “Delving into questions of survival and how split-second decisions can alter not just our lives, but the lives of others, are key to telling the story.”
Beyond: Two Souls received mixed reviews upon release. The acting performances of Page and Dafoe were heavily praised, as were the game's technical details like motion capture and interactive storytelling mechanics. However, the game's overall storyline and character development left much to be desired for many outlets.
While it may not be as recognizable as some of these other video game adaptations, Beyond: Two Souls could be considered a commercial success. The game sold one million copies during its first three months of release, and 2.8 million copies as of July 2018, making it one of the best-selling PlayStation 3 games.
“We are absolutely thrilled to collaborate again with Elliot Page on this project,” said Quantic Dream writer and director, David Cage. “I was blown away by his acting performance in the game, and I couldn’t think of anyone else to tell this story with the same passion on another medium. Beyond: Two Souls is a very special game for millions of players around the world who were moved by the story of Jodie and Aiden, and their journey in life and beyond. I know that Elliot has all the talent and instinct to make it something really unique on TV.”