Sydney Sweeney stars in Split Fiction movie adaptation as Amazon MGM Studios secures the rights to bring the acclaimed video game to the big screen, with Jon M. Chu set to direct. The partnership was confirmed after a competitive bidding process, reflecting significant excitement in Hollywood over the title’s transition from console to cinema.
Amazon MGM Studios Moves Forward With Major Adaptation
Variety has confirmed Amazon MGM Studios has acquired the film rights to Split Fiction, a standout video game developed by Hazelight Studios and published by Electronic Arts. Sydney Sweeney signed on March 6, the day the game launched, while Jon M. Chu, known for directing major hits, will helm the project. Screenwriting for the adaptation will be handled by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, best known for their work on Deadpool & Wolverine, bringing significant experience in translating genre material for the screen.
Split Fiction’s Story and Gameplay Set Up for Cinematic Success
Split Fiction is celebrated for its unique blend of fantasy and science fiction, centering on two authors, Mio and Zoe, who become ensnared within the universes they have written. Created by director and Hazelight studio chief Josef Fares along with Sebastian Johansson, the game offers players cooperative gameplay that includes split-screen combat, platform-based challenges, and diverse character abilities, echoing the creative vision that may well translate into a visually dynamic film.
High-Profile Production Team and Creative Talent
The upcoming Split Fiction film will be produced by Mike Goldberg and Dmitri M. Johnson through Story Kitchen, previously known as dj2 Entertainment, alongside Chu’s production company Electric Somewhere. The executive producing team includes Sydney Sweeney, Timothy I. Stevenson of Story Kitchen, and Hazelight Studios’ founder Josef Fares and COO Oskar Wolontis, ensuring ongoing creative involvement from the game’s original makers.
“Even in early development here at Hazelight, it was clear how much potential ‘Split Fiction’ had to become a kick-ass movie,”
—Oskar Wolontis, COO Hazlight Studios.
“We now know it’s got a shot at becoming something truly special with such an amazing creative team behind it. Jon M. Chu, Sydney Sweeney, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, together with Story Kitchen, have all been champions and true fans of this project since day one, and we can’t wait to see their vision for this movie come to life! Amazon MGM has shown intense interest in this project and we’re happy to see them show both confidence and clear intent to bring this movie to all current and future fans of ‘Split Fiction’ out there. We look forward to holding them to that and working together to bring Mio and Zoe to screen.”
—Oskar Wolontis, COO Hazelight Studios.
Key Characters and Casting News
While Sydney Sweeney is attached to star, it has not yet been revealed whether she will lead as Zoe or Mio. Casting for her co-star is ongoing as producers seek the right pairing to bring the signature dynamic from the video game to life in the adaptation.
Split Fiction’s Rapid Rise and Impact on Hollywood
Released on March 6, Split Fiction quickly gained traction among both players and critics, earning strong reviews and impressive sales figures. Hazelight Studios reported that the game surpassed two million copies sold within its first week, establishing a solid fanbase and confirming its popularity as both a commercial and critical hit.
As interest surged following the game’s release, Variety reported that an adaptation was already attracting major Hollywood studios, culminating in a competitive bidding war that played out during the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco in March.
Background of Hazelight Studios’ Game-to-Film Ventures
Split Fiction will be the third game from Hazelight Studios to move toward a film adaptation in partnership with Story Kitchen. Other projects in progress include films based on It Takes Two—which is also underway at Amazon MGM Studios with Dwayne Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions involved—and A Way Out, further cementing Hazelight’s influence in adapting narrative-rich games for new audiences.
This high-profile collaboration, with Sydney Sweeney starring in Split Fiction movie adaptation and Jon M. Chu directing, signals Amazon MGM Studios’ deep commitment to video game properties that offer compelling storytelling and cinematic promise. With the production team set and key roles yet to be cast, the industry will be watching closely as Mio and Zoe’s journey makes its way from consoles to screens worldwide.
