Producer J.J. Abrams has confirmed that the long-gestating adaptation of Valve’s hit video game series Portal is still in active development at Warner Bros. after being first announced at DICE 2013 by himself and Valve founder Gabe Newell.
Speaking to IGN, Abrams said: “We actually do have a script that’s being written for the Portal movie now at [Warner Bros.]. We’re really excited about the take and the pitch, so it feels like that thing’s finally on the rails.”
Although Abrams didn’t confirm who the writer(s) behind the script, whether any directors had already been approached for the project, or whether the movie will completely adapt the first game, he later shared his excitement for the upcoming project. “It’s got enormous potential for a lot of reasons, one of which is because of the limited narrative of the game, as ingeniously told as it is, the potential of it is so huge. It’s gonna be super fun.”
First released in 2007, Portal follows Chell as she is challenged to navigate a series of test chambers using the Aperture Science Handheld Portal Device, or portal gun, whilst trying to escape from the watchful supervision of the artificial intelligence GLaDOS – who would later become one of the most beloved video game villains of all time. 2011’s Portal 2 introduced players to Aperture’s founder Cave Johnson (who was voiced by J.K. Simmons) – Abrams also acknowledged that there’s likely to be fan outcry for Simmons to return to the role if Johnson was introduced into live-action.
