Other than its July 31, 2025 release date, very little is actually known about theUnchartedfilm. Although it’s roughly six months away, there hasn’t been so much as a teaser trailer to whet fans' appetites or give audiences an understanding of what to expect from the movie. One of the only things known about its plot was told to audiences at the 2020 Game Awards, whenUnchartedstar Tom Holland presented the award for “Best Multiplayer Game.” Holland said, “This film tells you how Nathan Drake became the character we all know and love.” While that might be fine for average filmgoers, diehard fans of theUnchartedseries were skeptical considering in an earlier interview with IGN, Holland said, “If you’ve played the games, you haven’t seen what’s going to happen in the film.”
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Nathan Drake’s Backstory in Uncharted 3 and 4
Although those unfamiliar with the series might not know it, Nathan Drake’s backstory has been explored extensively inUncharted 3and4.Uncharted 3opens with an exciting adventure that a young Nathan Drake is on, full of mischief and a style that Drake has clearly not quite perfected. While that section of the story ties into the overall plot of the game revolving around the ownership of Sir Frances Drake’s ring, it also provides plenty of backstory on Nathan Drake as a character and tells audienceshow Drake and Sully met.
What’s more,Uncharted 4spends plenty of time delving into how Nathan and his brother Sam came to be the adventurers and trouble makers they are. Hours of the game are spent in flashbacks full of backstory and character-building that help inform the entireseries. In short, there’s no shortage ofbackstory for Nathan Drakein the series, as nearly half of all its titles put his earlier years in the spotlight for at least an hour or two.
The Uncharted Film’s Interpretation of Drake
Based on Holland’s IGN interview, it seems like the upcomingUnchartedfilm will be telling a story separate from those told in the sixUnchartedgames. What’s unfortunate is if the film is focusing on Nathan Drake’s backstory, it might not be introducing a lot of depth to the character that hasn’t already been explored.Unchartedfans already know a lot about how Nathan Drake became the character, soHolland’s take on Drakemight not be breaking new ground.
If the film is set on being a Nathan Drake origin story, hopefully it goes in a new direction with the character. While some might be disappointed that Holland’s Drake wouldn’t be the same as the version of the character from the games, at least that might justify why the film feels like it needs to retread old ground with an origin story. Either way,Unchartedis a beloved series that seems perfect for a film adaptation that’s been in the work for years. Ifthe original on-screen Drake is excited about the movie, it’s likely to be entertaining at the very least.
Unchartedis scheduled to be released in theaters on July 27, 2025.
