While it's unusual to hear that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is receiving a live-action film adaptation despite it not even having been launched yet, it begins to make sense why when looking at who's part of the upcoming game. After it was first revealed, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 gained player interest thanks to its distinctive style and gameplay, ranging from its Belle Epoque-inspired designs to its innovative take on turn-based combat blended with quick-time events. However, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has more going on beyond its design, gameplay, and premise, as its cast of voice actors could be a key factor behind its live-action adaptation.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 brings a sweeping range of acting talents from across television, film, and gaming, especially regarding the cast portraying the game's protagonists. But while some voices come from recent gaming hits, like Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring's Jennifer English or Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty's Shala Nyx, others have become more renowned for their roles in film and television, such as Andy Serkis' voice-acting and motion capture legacy or Charlie Cox's upcoming MCU return in Daredevil: Born Again. With a capable cast of actors leading Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 already, a movie adaptation of the game was arguably inevitable.
Lies of P and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Shockingly Share a Similar Hook
Though different in a number of crucial ways, Lies of P and the upcoming Clair Obscur share one remarkable similarity, possibly signaling a new trend.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Cast is Ready-Made For A Movie Adaptation
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's RPG direction means it is no exception when it comes to providing players with multiple characters to accompany them throughout the game. However, developer Sandfall Interactive has already gone above and beyond with its eight confirmed protagonists, casting various accredited English-speaking voice actors as listed below. Moreover, these same actors have also proven their voice-acting skills in gaming before, unlike other underwhelming celebrity appearances such as Destiny's Peter Dinklage or the late Matthew Perry in Fallout: New Vegas.
- Daredevil: Born Again's Charlie Cox
- Baldur's Gate 3 and Mass Effect's Jennifer Hale
- Sifu's Kirsty Ryder
- Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty's Shala Nyx
- The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars' Andy Serkis
- Final Fantasy XVI's Ben Starr
- Wuthering Waves' Rich Keeble
But Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's voice-acting cast has another benefit, one that could play a vital role in its movie adaptation, and that's the additional versatility its actors have since they've also appeared in live-action projects. Therefore, a movie adaptation of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 could easily see its voice actors transition to playing the same live-action roles as their in-game counterparts. In fact, with each protagonist modeled on their respective voice actors, it would be even easier for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to be translated onto the big screen with the same actors physically reprising their characters.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Premise and Design is Perfect for Cinema
In addition to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's pedigree of actors, its story outline, design, and gameplay also lend themselves to a cinematic level of quality that has become commonplace in the industry. As seen with the likes of Arcane, The Last of Us, Fallout, and The Witcher, gaming adaptations will be positively received if they offer good story-telling, artistic direction, and faithfulness to the source material. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has the makings of a good movie already, as its dark fantasy Belle Epoque backdrop and a narrative set around its god-like Paintress could help it stand out from other film and television adaptations.
Provided that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's adaptation remains faithful to the game's story and design, in combination with its English-speaking voice actors reprising their live-action roles, then the game may already be a perfect fit for the big screen. However, since Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 still hasn't launched and will not do so until April 2025, hopes for a movie could be short-lived if the game doesn't perform well among players. But with hype for the game so high that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Collector's Edition has sold out, many are already hopefuly that Sandfall Interactive's debut game will be a potential success, something that would make a movie adaptation even easier to get off the ground.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 92 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- April 24, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Sandfall Interactive
- Publisher(s)
- Kepler Interactive
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy
