Why a Control TV Show or Movie Should Think Bigger Than the Base Game

Key Takeaways

• Annapurna Pictures will fund 50% of Remedy’s
  Control
  game budget and hopes to expand it into film and television.
• Control
  should focus on new stories like Saga Anderson to expand its universe instead of retelling the same narrative.
• New
  Control
  media could explore Jesse Faden’s role as FBC director and unravel the secrets of the Oldest House on TV or in movies.

Remedy Entertainment has announced that it is entering a partnership with Annapurna Pictures. According to a press release by Remedy, Annapurna will fund 50% of the budget of the upcoming Control game, but that’s not all. Annapurna also hopes to expand the worlds of Control and Alan Wake into the realm of film and television. Annapurna will be focusing on the film and television aspects of the aforementioned franchises, giving Remedy the space it needs to focus on Control 2 and other titles.

This is exciting news, as it means the Remedy Connected Universe will be introduced to a whole new audience. However, Remedy should be wise with how it handles things. Instead of treading old ground and retelling the story of Control, any upcoming films and television should instead expand the RCU and introduce new stories.

Control Has More Stories to Tell

Control already told its story effectively, blending Jungian concepts with the supernatural to create a unique world for Jesse Faden to explore. While a television series covering the events of the first Control game would be interesting, Remedy should think deeper and take the opportunity to unravel some of the secrets of the Oldest House. There are several ways this could be done that remain faithful to the franchise.

One of the routes the films and television series could take is to focus on Saga Anderson. The FBI agent crosses paths with the Federal Bureau of Control and agent Kiran Estevez. Rather than buckle under the pressure, Saga shows herself to be extremely competent, which should make her a person of interest for the FBC. Future media should explore the relationship between Saga and the FBC, perhaps even having her be recruited by the organization to help them contain dangerous anomalies. Not only would this provide a fresh story, but it would also expand the Remedy Connected Universe.

Jesse Faden Has New Stories to Tell as the Director of the FBC

New Control media could also explore Jesse Faden’s new role as the director of the Federal Bureau of Control. The role bestows upon Faden heaps of responsibility, and it would be interesting to see how she handles it. There are still dangers lurking in the Oldest House, and it will now be Faden’s job to deal with them.

A Television Series or Movie Could Unravel the Secrets of the Oldest House

Perhaps the most mysterious part of Control is the Oldest House. It seems like an ordinary building on the outside, but inside it is a labyrinth that seemingly goes on forever. Plenty of supernatural events occur within the winds of the building, and not all of them are fully explained in the games. Of course, there are some things that Remedy would prefer to keep shrouded in mystery, but there are some questions that could be answered.

Annapurna’s television series and movies could explore the origins of the FBC and its history. Players could also find out about the clandestine missions the organization got up to before Jesse’s arrival. On the extreme end of things, the television and movies could abandon Jesse’s storyline altogether and focus on previous FBC directors and the troubles that they have had to face protecting the world from Objects of Power. Naturally, whatever direction Annapurna takes, it should expand the Remedy Connected Universe and include Alan Wake in the adventure.

There was a bit of concern when it was announced that Annapurna Interactive’s staff quit due to disputes, but fortunately, this won’t affect Remedy’s deal with Annapurna Pictures, which has proven itself to be quite competent when it comes to crafting films and television. Until the deal comes to fruition, players can look forward to the second DLC for Alan Wake 2 as well as Condor, a multiplayer spin-off Control game.