Millions of hours have been spent playing The Sims, EA’s blockbuster series of life simulation video games. It’s one of those titles that appeals to casual gamers who want to court a relationship with their neighbor, have a kid, go to college, whatever, all without the pressure of actually doing any of it for real. Earlier this year, Amazon MGM began developing a Sims movie in partnership with Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap banner. And now the film has been officially greenlit with a red-hot director attached.
Kate Herron will direct The Sims for Amazon MGM, based on a script she wrote with Briony Redman. LuckyChap and Vertigo Entertainment will produce, along with Herron and Redman. This will be Herron’s feature directing debut. She previously directed episodes of Loki season one, along with HBO’s The Last of Us and Netflix’s Sex Education.
No details on the plot have emerged just yet. The Sims are open world, “sandbox”-style games that allow players to live an entire virtual life; making friends, raising a family, building a home, and so much more. Quirky details about the game have become part of the pop culture lexicon, such as the “Simlish” language spoken by the Sims avatars, the many “woohoo” locations for romantic encounters, and others.
The movie will be “very much rooted in The Sims universe,” said EA VP and The Sims general manager Kate Gorman to Variety. That makes it sound as if the story will take place within the world of The Sims, which makes sense considering the success Robbie found doing the same thing with Barbie. As of now, there are no plans for Robbie to take an acting role, but if she does it would bring even more attention than it’s already going to receive.
