It was a pastime of millions of millennials in the noughties – turning on the computer, and booting up The Sims.
The life simulator, hailed as one of the biggest computer game franchises of all time for having sold more than 200 million units worldwide, has stood the test of time. Its simple premise – creating a family, building them a house and guiding them to achieve their hopes and dreams (or simply putting them in a swimming pool and selling the ladder) – remains popular more than 20 years after it was first launched.
Now, The Sims will be coming to the big screen after the gaming giant Electronic Arts (EA), who publishes the game, announced that it was working with Amazon MGM Studios to bring the eccentric world to (real) life.
Here’s what we can expect from The Sims movie – aside from, of course, a healthy dose of nostalgia.
What will The Sims movie be about?
While rumours of a film have been swirling for months, EA has now formally confirmed the project – but details about what the film will look like are scant. However, the big-screen adaptation is certainly going to pay service to the franchise’s huge fan base.
EA’s vice president and general manager of The Sims, Kate Gorman, hopes the film follows in the footsteps of 2023’s Barbie for having a huge cultural impact.
The team behind The Sims are hoping the film can match Barbie’s cultural impact. Barbie starred, and was also produced by, Margot Robbie
“It’s very much rooted in The Sims universe,” she told Variety. “And what we want is to have a truly authentic ‘Sims’ experience brought to a theatrical release. So what you’ll see from us is that we have been wanting to get this right. We wanted the right partners and to make an impact the size of something like a Barbie movie. And we know there’s so much love and nostalgia – probably beyond what we would even realise – for The Sims, and so many people like us have played throughout generations.
“We want this to be an experience that reflects all that amazing history and play of so many people in this world, but also is something that you can share across generations and to be part of pop culture and culturally relevant.”
Gorman added that a lot of in-game lore is expected to be included, but details are yet to be finalised (so we really might see a Sim drown in the pool without a ladder).
“You will see a lot of The Sims universe come to life and you will see a lot of the classic experiences that our players have in the games come to life in the movie,” she says. “The idea is to say that it lives within this space. It’s a nod to all of the amazing play and creation and fun that people have had over the last 25 years within The Sims.”
Who will star in The Sims movie?
Currently, there are no names attached or official cast announcement. However, the film is being produced by Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap production company, whose body of work also includes Promising Young Woman, Saltburn and Barbie.
Kate Herron, who served as the director and executive producer of Disney+ hit Loki, has been named as director. She will also co-write the film with Briony Redman, who she previously worked with on Sex Education and Doctor Who.
Is there a trailer for The Sims movie?
Not yet – the project has only just been confirmed so it may be several months, if not years, until we have our very first look at the film.
Does The Sims movie have a release date?
Not yet – though EA have promised more details will be released in due course, to coincide with The Sims’ 25th anniversary celebrations next year.