Uncharted Sequel with Tom Holland Already Confirmed

Uncharted Skips the Franchise’s Biggest Pitfall

Tom Holland’s Uncharted sequel dodges a major critique faced by the video game series by introducing Nathan Drake’s brother, Sam, right from the start. The initial movie fell short as a game adaptation. The film’s action sequences lacked the cinematic flair gamers adored, while its mystery plot failed to engage. Additionally, Holland and Mark Wahlberg couldn’t capture the beloved father-son bond between Nate and Sully. Yet, despite these shortcomings, the movie sidestepped one notable pitfall.

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Sam Drake: Introduced, Not Retconned

Uncharted 4 received praise but also criticism. Although it was hailed as a fantastic game, some fans disliked the unexpected appearance of Nate’s brother. Sam’s sudden introduction was a sore point, especially as Nate never mentioned him in earlier installments. This omission seemed odd since Katherine Marlowe, a past villain, supposedly knew all about Nate’s childhood. In Uncharted 4, Sam returns after a stint as Nate’s treasure-hunting partner. He resurfaces seeking aid to locate Henry Avery’s lost treasure.

The game explains Sam’s absence with Nate’s guilt over leaving him. Nonetheless, it did not clarify how Marlowe missed this crucial detail. Despite the game exploring Sam and Nate’s bond beautifully, his abrupt addition felt like a storyline rewrite. However, the movie deftly avoided this blunder by featuring Sam early on, outlining his captivity and feigned death.

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Establishing Sam from the Beginning

In the movie adaptation, Sam was central from the start. A flashback reveals Nate’s upbringing in an orphanage alongside Sam. During an attempted theft of a historical map, Sam vows to Nate that he will return after sneaking out. Before departing, Sam gifts Nate a ring — a significant item from the games. When Sully finds Nate in the present, he explains his history with Sam and Sam’s mysterious disappearance.

Throughout the film, Sully discloses that Sam was shot, left for dead by Braddock. This contrasts with the game, where Sam was injured during a prison break. Yet, both stories end similarly: Sam is presumed dead but is imprisoned far away. By the movie’s end, a scene reveals Sam alive, sending another postcard to Nate from prison.

Future Installments: Exploring a Strong Brotherly Bond

The sequel is poised to delve into Nate and Sam’s relationship. The first movie didn’t quite capture Nate and Sully’s dynamic. Wahlberg portrayed Sully less as a mentor and more as another Nate, missing the original’s essence. This was a major flaw making the film feel less authentic.

For the sequel to redeem itself, it must capitalize on Nate and Sam’s unique connection. In Uncharted 4, though Sam is older, Nate often acts as the responsible one. This distinct dynamic added depth to the game, enhancing its emotional impact. The film’s follow-up needs Holland and Rudy Pankow to faithfully recreate this bond, ensuring it resonates with fans the same way. Through this, the sequel could finally deliver the kind of adaptation gamers and moviegoers have been waiting for.