20th Century Studios is jumping into the video game adaptation business.
In a competitive situation, 20th Century has picked up theatrical film rights to the popular game 99 Nights in the Forest, developed by Grandma’s Favourite Games and hosted on Roblox. It marks the first time the division is tackling a feature adaptation of a video game, which has emerged as a top source material for Hollywood movies and series, under Disney ownership.
No writer or director is attached at this stage nor are any producers involved. The game’s developers, Alec Kieft, Matthew Hufton, and Cameron Angland will serve as executive producers.
99 Nights is an action-survival game where players must endure 99 nights in a haunted forest while attempting to rescue four lost children and fight the vicious creatures inhabiting the deep woods.
Not even a year old, the game is already the seventh most played game of all time on Roblox, per 20th Century, boasting nearly 26 billion lifetime visits and a player rating of 90.6%. The game has a 14.2M all-time peak player count, ranking no. 3 on the Roblox platform, and frequently hosts hundreds of thousands of concurrent players.
“The team at Grandma’s Favourite Games are exactly the kind of bold, imaginative creators we love working with at 20th Century Studios, with world building ideas that feel innately cinematic,” said Disney’s live action and 20th Century Studios president David Greenbaum in a statement. “99 Nights in the Forest has already connected with millions of players worldwide, and we’re excited to build on that foundation for audiences everywhere.”
While 20th Century did produce movies based on video games when it was owned by Fox, films such as Hitman and Assassin’s Creed, it is believed to be the first notable titled to be tackled since Disney’s acquisition. The division is headed by Greenbaum and 20th Century president Steve Asbell.
“Growing up, Disney and 20th films were a huge part of our childhood, so collaborating with such legendary and enduring studios feels surreal,” said the game’s creators in a statement. “We’re excited to explore the world of 99 Nights in the Forest on a broader stage and to create some scares in an entirely new medium.”
Executive J.R. Young will oversee the project for 20th Century Studios. The company’s Michelle Kamme was involved in making the rights deal.
