While preparing for the big-budget adaptation of Uncharted, actor Tom Holland revealed his dream video game project: a live-action, intensely unconventional film based on the PlayStation 2 classic, Jak and Daxter. In a striking creative twist, Holland declared he would play the lead Jak but would only greenlight the project if it was produced by A24, the independent studio known for highly acclaimed, boundary-pushing films like Hereditary and Moonlight.
“I would like to make a Jak and Daxter movie,” Holland stated, clarifying his vision: “I would make it A24, so it is really weird and dark.” The surreal combination of a beloved platforming franchise with an arthouse aesthetic instantly captivated fans and critics alike.
The Vision: From PS2 Platformer to A24 Indie
Jak and Daxter is the iconic action-platforming series from developer Naughty Dog (creators of Uncharted and The Last of Us). The original trilogy, starting with Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (2001), follows Jak, a silent, pointy-eared protagonist, and his sarcastic sidekick Daxter, an ottsel (otter-weasel hybrid) who was transformed after falling into a pool of Dark Eco. The games are known for their fast-paced action, open worlds, and quirky sci-fi/fantasy blend.
- The Dark Twist: Holland’s desire for an A24 adaptation suggests moving away from the franchise’s often light-hearted tone and embracing the darker, dystopian elements introduced in later installments like Jak II (2003) and Jak 3 (2004), which featured themes of imprisonment, mutation, and political corruption in the harsh Haven City setting.
- The Studio’s Significance: A24 is celebrated for giving directors creative freedom to produce distinct, genre-defying films. Pairing their signature style with a major gaming IP like Jak and Daxter would result in an adaptation that would be unconventional, blending nostalgia with an avant-garde edge.
- The Casting: Holland was confident in taking the role, throwing his name into the mix to play Jak, the elf-boy hero who later gains the ability to harness the power of Dark Eco.
Notable Events: PlayStation’s Cinematic Universe and Holland’s Next Chapter
Holland’s pitch aligns with PlayStation’s broader strategy of developing its classic franchises into films and TV series through its PlayStation Productions studio.
- PlayStation Production Success: Uncharted, starring Holland as Nathan Drake, was a significant theatrical debut for the studio. Following its success, they launched the highly acclaimed HBO series based on Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us, starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. This suggests a Jak and Daxter adaptation, while currently a “pipe dream,” is not entirely outside the realm of possibility for the company.
- Tom Holland’s Upcoming Projects (2026): While the A24 dream remains a “what if,” Holland has two major blockbusters slated for release in 2026, showcasing his range from dramatic epic to superhero tentpole:
- The Odyssey (July 17, 2026): Holland is set to star in Director Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of the Homeric epic, playing the role of Telemachus, the son of Odysseus. The film is noteworthy for being filmed entirely with IMAX cameras.
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day (July 31, 2026): He will reprise his globally famous role as Peter Parker / Spider-Man in the fourth installment of the MCU franchise.
Holland’s imaginative pitch demonstrated a desire to challenge expectations, proving the versatility of his post-Spider-Man career.