With the huge popularity of both Reacher and his recent Netflix series War Machine, Alan Ritchson has become a reliable and sought-after action star in Hollywood. This success gives him more control over his future projects, and he’s openly stated his biggest goal: to star in a film adaptation of the Metal Gear Solid video game series.
The first Metal Gear Solid, a sequel to earlier Metal Gear games from the 80s, was released in 1998. Players control Solid Snake, a skilled soldier, who must sneak into a secret base to stop a rogue military group from misusing nuclear weapons. The game is known for its movie-like presentation, featuring a complex story, great voice acting, and dramatic cutscenes.
Hideo Kojima, the creator of Metal Gear Solid, is a huge movie fan, and people have been talking about a Metal Gear Solid film since 2006. Despite Oscar Isaac signing on in 2020, the movie hasn’t materialized. We still hear occasional updates – in 2024, reports surfaced that Derek Connolly (writer of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) was revising the script and Kojima hoped to cast Tom Burke (from Furiosa) as Solid Snake. However, after years of failed attempts, it’s difficult to feel optimistic. The project needs a real boost, and Alan Ritchson might be the answer.
Why Alan Ritchson Would Be a Great Solid Snake in a ‘Metal Gear Solid’ Movie
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Alan Ritchson has expressed strong interest in playing Solid Snake in a Metal Gear Solid movie, and it’s a fantastic fit for him. He’s successfully portrayed tough, military-type characters, like Jack Reacher and the soldier from War Machine, and Solid Snake – a skilled soldier who eventually works as a mercenary – would follow that same pattern. Ritchson is clearly comfortable in action roles and has a strong, appealing presence that audiences love. While he’s a bit taller than the game version of Solid Snake (6’3” versus 6’0”), that’s not a significant issue. Tom Cruise, who is 5’7”, successfully played the much taller Jack Reacher (6’5”) in several films, and it didn’t bother viewers.
Ritchson seems genuinely enthusiastic about the games, too. He recently posted a piece of fan art on Instagram with the caption, “Next, La Li Lu Le Lo?” This is a nod to the Patriots, a secretive group that Solid Snake battles throughout several games. His knowledge of this obscure detail suggests a real passion for the series.
With successful adaptations of games like The Last of Us, Fallout, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and more shows like God of War on the way, we’re seeing a surge in high-quality video game adaptations. That’s why it’s surprising that Metal Gear Solid – a franchise famous for its cinematic style – hasn’t moved forward yet. Sony and Hideo Kojima should strongly consider actor Alan Ritchson’s expressed interest, as having a well-known star attached could really boost the project’s progress.
Alan Ritchson May Be Too Big a Star for ‘Metal Gear Solid’s Own Good
One potential challenge is Alan Ritchson’s growing popularity. With the recent success of War Machine, a sequel seems highly probable, though it hasn’t been officially announced. The fourth season of Reacher is also expected to premiere this year, and will likely continue the pattern of adapting one of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels per season. Given that there are already 30 books in the series, and another coming out this October, the show has the potential to run for a long time.
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As a huge film fan, I’m really excited about all the projects Alan Ritchson has lined up! He’s going to be expanding the Reacher universe with the Neagley spin-off, and it’s amazing he’s even landing a Christmas comedy with Arnold Schwarzenegger – The Man with the Bag sounds fun! Plus, he’s doing an action thriller with Owen Wilson called Runner, and he’s tackling a really interesting role as Navy SEAL Michael E. Thornton in a biopic. Honestly, with all that going on, it might be a challenge to also take on a big role like Solid Snake, so Sony really needs to make that opportunity incredibly appealing for him.
Look, as a huge fan, I’ve been hoping for a great Metal Gear Solid movie for ages. And honestly, I think Alan Ritchson is the guy who could finally pull it off. He’s got the build, the intensity… he just feels right for Solid Snake, you know?
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2026-03-18 21:42